Compare towns
Washington vs Strafford 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 most homeowners (94.4%).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k 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 | Strafford | Topsham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,056 |
1,372Highest |
999Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
+2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
51.4±4.7 19% above VT |
50.1±5.9Lowest 16% above VT |
| Washington and Strafford 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% |
23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
18%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Topsham 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% |
22.1%±3.4Lowest 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% VT: 43.8% |
53.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
1.7%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Strafford 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±$8kLowest 19% below VT |
$110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
$72,308±$60k 11% below VT |
| Strafford and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37kLowest 31% below VT |
$431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
$222,900±$56k 30% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285 19% below VT |
$1,125±$789Highest 9% below VT |
$908±$398Lowest 26% below VT |
| Strafford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485Lowest 31% below VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$4,006 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
91.9%±28.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Topsham and Strafford 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% |
5.2% VT: 10.1% |
18.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
23 minLowest about the VT average |
35 minHighest 49% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.2%±5.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Strafford and Washington 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 | Strafford School District | 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.