Compare towns

Whiting vs Barton vs Strafford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Whiting has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
Strafford has the most expensive homes ($431k 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.

MeasureWhitingBartonStrafford
People
Population
532Lowest
730
1,372Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
39.6±2.7Lowest
8% below VT
40±5.5
7% below VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
Kids under 18
23.5%±6.9
VT: 17.9%
24.1%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barton and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13%±5.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.9%
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.2%±4Highest
VT: 7%
1.9%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
Whiting and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$91,250±$38k
12% above VT
$40,833±$8kLowest
50% below VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
Strafford and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,400±$36k
11% below VT
$146,900±$30kLowest
54% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$519Highest
about the VT average
$761±$150Lowest
38% below VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
Whiting and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,227
16% below VT
$3,185Lowest
37% below VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.3%±37.3
VT: 48.4%
58.8%±18.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Barton and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.5%
VT: 10.1%
25.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
65.4%
VT: 73.2%
52.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
1 yr older than VT
1945Lowest
31 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
7% below VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
Work from home
10%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.5%±10.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
Barton and Strafford 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 — #38 of 70 in VT —
School district Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 — Strafford School District
High school 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.