Compare towns

Barnard vs Johnson vs Westford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k median).
Westford has the highest household income ($113k).

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.

MeasureBarnardJohnsonWestford
People
Population
1,211Lowest
3,450Highest
2,290
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.4±6
about the VT average
30.9±6.5Lowest
28% below VT
44.1±8.6Highest
about the VT average
Westford and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
26.9%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
22.7%±5
VT: 17.9%
16.9%±4.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barnard and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22%±3.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
10.8%±3.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
17.2%±3.2
VT: 21.4%
Barnard and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.3%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
14.4%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
9.5%±4.6
VT: 7%
Johnson and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$97,581±$19k
20% above VT
$55,346±$14kLowest
32% below VT
$112,750±$12kHighest
39% above VT
Westford and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$402,600±$71k
27% above VT
$169,400±$62kLowest
46% below VT
$424,500±$21kHighest
34% above VT
Westford and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,372±$80
11% above VT
$948±$45Lowest
23% below VT
$2,375±$1kHighest
92% above VT
Westford and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,038
20% above VT
$3,310Lowest
34% below VT
$6,282Highest
25% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27%±19.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
51.6%±20.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
29.8%±31
VT: 48.4%
Johnson and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.6%
VT: 10.1%
12.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.4%
VT: 73.2%
58.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
21% above VT
33 minHighest
42% above VT
33 minHighest
42% above VT
Work from home
19.3%±10.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
8.8%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
19.1%±6.9
VT: 16.9%
Barnard and Westford 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 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.