Compare towns
Calais vs Starksboro vs Ferrisburgh vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Starksboro has the most kids (26.4% under 18).
Ferrisburgh has the most expensive homes ($423k median).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.
| Measure | Calais | Starksboro | Ferrisburgh | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,713 |
1,939 |
2,661Highest |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.2% VT: +2.8% |
-4.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42±8.6 about the VT average |
38.2±4.8Lowest 11% below VT |
45.5±4.9 6% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
| Worcester and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.5%±5.4 VT: 17.9% |
26.4%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Starksboro and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
17.4%±2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.3%±3.8Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
39.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
51.1% VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3.1%±1.9 VT: 7% |
3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $100,625±$27k 24% above VT |
$82,188±$15k about the VT average |
$106,989±$22kHighest 32% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,300±$36k 23% above VT |
$287,700±$42k 9% below VT |
$422,700±$35kHighest 34% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,408±$392 14% above VT |
$1,306±$91 6% above VT |
$1,435±$173Highest 16% above VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$4,536 10% below VT |
$6,120 21% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49%±38.3 VT: 48.4% |
28.6%±26.3 VT: 48.4% |
57%±19.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
91.3% VT: 73.2% |
85.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
29 min 24% above VT |
28 minLowest 21% above VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.4%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
18.5%±4.5 VT: 16.9% |
14.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Calais 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 | — | — | #7 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 | Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None 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.