Compare towns

Brookline vs Wardsboro vs Westminster

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brookline has the most affordable homes ($291k median).
Wardsboro has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% 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.

MeasureBrooklineWardsboroWestminster
People
Population
531
820Highest
497Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
45.1±2.7
5% above VT
51.6±7.3Highest
20% above VT
43.3±11.5Lowest
about the VT average
Wardsboro and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20%±6
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±6.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
28.4%±7.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Westminster and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.6%±4.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.4%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.7%±11.4
VT: 21.4%
Wardsboro and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.1%
VT: 43.8%
38.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±1.6Highest
VT: 7%
0.9%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
2.2%±3.5
VT: 7%
Brookline and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,833±$16k
about the VT average
$62,000±$6kLowest
24% below VT
$81,000±$22kHighest
about the VT average
Westminster and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$290,700±$37kLowest
8% below VT
$299,300±$47k
5% below VT
$313,600±$39kHighest
about the VT average
Westminster and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,732±$232Highest
40% above VT
$1,479±$224
20% above VT
$749±$315Lowest
39% below VT
Brookline and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,000Highest
about the VT average
$4,345Lowest
14% below VT
$4,480
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.8%±94.7
VT: 48.4%
54.5%±58Highest
VT: 48.4%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Wardsboro and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.2%
VT: 10.1%
7.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
90.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
1 yr older than VT
1978Highest
2 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
21% above VT
27 minLowest
14% above VT
30 minHighest
26% above VT
Work from home
20.6%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
13.3%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.1%±15.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Westminster and Brookline 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 — — #53 of 70 in VT
School district — River Valleys Unified School District #73 —
High school 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.