Compare towns

Barnet vs Williston vs West Rutland

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barnet has the most kids (21.6% under 18).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
West Rutland has the most affordable homes ($196k median).

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.

MeasureBarnetWillistonWest Rutland
People
Population
1,855Lowest
10,144Highest
2,240
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.6%
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±5.3
11% above VT
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
47.8±5.1Highest
11% above VT
West Rutland and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.6%±4.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
20.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±4.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Barnet and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.8%±3.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
21%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
23.8%±5.9
VT: 21.4%
Barnet and West Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.6%
VT: 43.8%
54.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.1
VT: 7%
Williston and West Rutland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$67,386±$15k
17% below VT
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above VT
$61,161±$27kLowest
25% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$247,900±$24k
22% below VT
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$196,400±$27kLowest
38% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$974±$72
21% below VT
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$883±$151Lowest
28% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,489
11% below VT
$5,592Highest
11% above VT
$3,498Lowest
31% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
59.3%±29.9
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
60.1%±22.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
West Rutland and Barnet 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%
4.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%
VT: 73.2%
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
2 yrs older than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
17% above VT
20 minLowest
16% below VT
22 min
9% below VT
Work from home
13.3%±4.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.6%±4.6
VT: 16.9%
Williston and West Rutland 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 — #11 of 70 in VT —
School district Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
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.