Compare towns

Williamstown vs Vernon vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williamstown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.7%).
Vernon has the most renters (23.8% rent).
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.

MeasureWilliamstownVernonSheldon
People
Population
3,579Highest
2,709
2,267Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42±5
about the VT average
42.6±5.4Highest
about the VT average
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Vernon 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
VT: 17.9%
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Vernon and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
17.6%
VT: 43.8%
26.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
3%±1.7
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Williamstown and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,418±$10kHighest
16% above VT
$85,682±$9k
6% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
Williamstown and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$234,900±$24kLowest
26% below VT
$285,100±$25kHighest
10% below VT
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
Vernon and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
$1,023±$214Lowest
17% below VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
Williamstown and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,841
24% below VT
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
about the VT average
20 minLowest
14% below VT
25 minHighest
7% above VT
Work from home
13.9%±6.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Williamstown and Sheldon 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 #47 of 70 in VT #30 of 70 in VT —
School district Paine Mountain Union School District #68 Vernon 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

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.