Compare towns

Williamstown vs Newfields vs Sheldon

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williamstown has the most affordable homes ($235k median).
Newfields has the most expensive homes ($646k median).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasureWilliamstownNewfieldsSheldon
People
Population
3,579Highest
2,023Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42±5
8% above U.S.
44.1±1.8Highest
13% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Newfields and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.9%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Williamstown and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
17.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
68.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±3.2
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,418±$10k
17% above U.S.
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$234,900±$24kLowest
29% below U.S.
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$272,400±$61k
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,659±$189
17% above U.S.
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$1,286±$379Lowest
9% below U.S.
Newfields and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,841
23% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,578Lowest
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
83.7%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Williamstown and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1984Lowest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
12% below U.S.
26 minHighest
about the U.S. average
25 min
5% below U.S.
Work from home
13.9%±6.6
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #47 of 70 in VT — —
School district Paine Mountain Union School District #68 Newfields School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town Williamstown Middle/High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.5
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.