Compare towns
Wheelock vs Brandon vs Middlesex vs Sheffield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wheelock has the oldest population (median age 51).
Brandon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Middlesex has the highest household income ($110k).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
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 | Wheelock | Brandon | Middlesex | Sheffield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 717 |
4,120Highest |
1,943 |
573Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51±5.6Highest 18% above VT |
50.1±3.1 16% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
42±8Lowest about the VT average |
| Wheelock and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±3.5 VT: 17.9% |
19.2%±4.3 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±6.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.4%±4.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.3%±4.1 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
19.2%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Wheelock and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.9% VT: 43.8% |
32.1% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
27.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
5.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Sheffield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $64,792±$20k 20% below VT |
$64,180±$12k 21% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$58,333±$26kLowest 28% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $189,600±$37k 40% below VT |
$227,800±$23k 28% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$171,900±$50kLowest 46% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,064±$225 14% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$967±$79Lowest 22% below VT |
| Middlesex and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,937 42% below VT |
$4,241 16% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$2,123Lowest 58% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
41.7%±15.1 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
61.5%±41.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Sheffield and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% VT: 10.1% |
14.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.3% VT: 73.2% |
96.7% VT: 73.2% |
83.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
1951Lowest 25 yrs older than VT |
1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
1987 11 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 17% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
27 min 17% above VT |
30 minHighest 28% above VT |
| Work from home | 21.1%±16 VT: 16.9% |
9.9%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.1%±2.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #69 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | — | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 |
| High school in town | — | Otter Valley Union High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.9 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.