Compare towns

Alstead vs Johnson vs White River Junction

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Alstead has the oldest population (median age 56).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).

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.

MeasureAlsteadJohnsonWhite River Junction
People
Population
1,551Lowest
3,450Highest
3,364
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+10.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
56±3.3Highest
44% above U.S.
30.9±6.5Lowest
21% below U.S.
33.7±3.2
13% below U.S.
Kids under 18
12.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.7%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±5
U.S.: 22%
Johnson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.8%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
10.8%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.5%±3.6
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
32.2%
U.S.: 35.7%
38.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.4%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
14.4%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$64,526±$11k
20% below U.S.
$55,346±$14kLowest
31% below U.S.
$77,168±$4kHighest
4% below U.S.
White River Junction and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,600±$37k
18% below U.S.
$169,400±$62kLowest
49% below U.S.
$278,800±$78kHighest
16% below U.S.
White River Junction and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$948±$45Lowest
33% below U.S.
$1,222±$216Highest
14% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,322
71% above U.S.
$3,310Lowest
6% above U.S.
$5,651Highest
81% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
72.1%±22.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
51.6%±20.8
U.S.: 51.1%
42.9%±17.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Alstead and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
58.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
43.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
20% above U.S.
33 minHighest
26% above U.S.
15 minLowest
42% below U.S.
Work from home
12.1%±5.6
U.S.: 15.1%
8.8%±4.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
15.7%±5.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
White River Junction and Alstead 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 — #57 of 70 in VT —
School district Fall Mountain Regional School District Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.