Compare towns
Washington vs Sheffield vs Topsham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Topsham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.2%).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Washington | Sheffield | Topsham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,056Highest |
573Lowest |
999 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
42±8Lowest about the VT average |
50.1±5.9 16% above VT |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±6.6 VT: 17.9% |
18%±3.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Topsham and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.2%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.2%±4.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31%Highest VT: 43.8% |
27.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
28.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
5.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
1.7%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Sheffield and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $66,103±$8k 19% below VT |
$58,333±$26kLowest 28% below VT |
$72,308±$60kHighest 11% below VT |
| Topsham and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37k 31% below VT |
$171,900±$50kLowest 46% below VT |
$222,900±$56kHighest 30% below VT |
| Topsham and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Highest 19% below VT |
$967±$79 22% below VT |
$908±$398Lowest 26% below VT |
| Washington and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485 31% below VT |
$2,123Lowest 58% below VT |
$4,006Highest 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
61.5%±41.2 VT: 48.4% |
91.9%±28.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Topsham and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.6% VT: 10.1% |
18.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
83.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1987Highest 11 yrs newer than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
30 minLowest 28% above VT |
35 minHighest 49% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.1%±2.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.2%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Washington and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Waits River Union High District #36 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.