Compare towns
Brighton vs White River Junction vs Windsor vs Barton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brighton has the oldest population (median age 45.2).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Windsor has the most homeowners (57.8%).
Barton has the most kids (24.1% 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.
| Measure | Brighton | White River Junction | Windsor | Barton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,167 |
3,364 |
3,554Highest |
730Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.3% VT: +2.8% |
+10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+0.2% VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
33.7±3.2Lowest 22% below VT |
44.8±6.5 4% above VT |
40±5.5 7% below VT |
| Brighton and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.3%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
19.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.7%±6.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Windsor and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.9% VT: 43.8% |
38.9% VT: 43.8% |
39.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.4Highest VT: 7% |
1.2%±1.1 VT: 7% |
0.7%±0.8Lowest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6 VT: 7% |
| Brighton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $47,375±$21k 42% below VT |
$77,168±$4kHighest 5% below VT |
$52,484±$11k 35% below VT |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $163,900±$39k 48% below VT |
$278,800±$78kHighest 12% below VT |
$207,500±$31k 34% below VT |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
| White River Junction and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $775±$33 37% below VT |
$1,222±$216Highest about the VT average |
$1,026±$89 17% below VT |
$761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
| White River Junction and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,360 33% below VT |
$5,651Highest 12% above VT |
$5,209 3% above VT |
$3,185Lowest 37% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55%±17 VT: 48.4% |
42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
31.5%±17Lowest VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 22% VT: 10.1% |
12.1% VT: 10.1% |
7.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 51.1% VT: 73.2% |
43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
57.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
52.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967Highest 9 yrs older than VT |
1963 13 yrs older than VT |
1945Lowest 31 yrs older than VT |
1945Lowest 31 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
15 minLowest 35% below VT |
23 min 3% below VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.4%±8.1 VT: 16.9% |
15.7%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
10.3%±5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Barton and White River Junction 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 | — | — | #61 of 70 in VT | #38 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Brighton School District | — | — | — |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.