Compare towns

Windham vs Dummerston vs Sheffield vs Townshend

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has the most expensive homes ($354k median).
Dummerston has the most kids (21.7% under 18).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Townshend has the oldest population (median age 55.6).

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.

MeasureWindhamDummerstonSheffieldTownshend
People
Population
594
2,090Highest
573Lowest
1,538
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+0.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.2±7.4
about the VT average
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
55.6±9.6Highest
29% above VT
Townshend and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±7.9
VT: 17.9%
21.7%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6
VT: 17.9%
12%±2.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dummerston and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.2%±8.1
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±3Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.3%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
Dummerston and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.1%
VT: 43.8%
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.4%±0.8
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,500±$12k
16% above VT
$101,696±$21kHighest
25% above VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$78,750±$29k
3% below VT
Dummerston and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$353,900±$20kHighest
12% above VT
$335,300±$22k
6% above VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$287,200±$79k
9% below VT
Windham and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,392±$126Highest
13% above VT
$967±$79Lowest
22% below VT
$1,074±$80
13% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951Highest
18% above VT
$4,536
10% below VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$5,364
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2
VT: 48.4%
72.5%±23.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
Townshend and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%
VT: 73.2%
82.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
14% above VT
21 minLowest
11% below VT
30 minHighest
28% above VT
25 min
6% above VT
Work from home
20.5%±5.6
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28%±18.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Townshend and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 West River Valley Union Education District #72B · West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town — None in town None in town Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School
Students per teacherat that high school — — —
8.1
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.