Compare towns

Castleton vs Washington vs Wheelock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.7%).
Wheelock has the most people working from home (21.1%).

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.

MeasureCastletonWashingtonWheelock
People
Population
4,453Highest
1,056
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.5%
VT: +2.8%
-0.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
38.3±4.3Lowest
11% below VT
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Washington and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.8%±6.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
20.7%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
31%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
19.3%±1.8Highest
VT: 7%
2.7%±2Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,854±$23kHighest
9% below VT
$66,103±$8k
19% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Castleton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$224,800±$71kHighest
29% below VT
$217,700±$37k
31% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Castleton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,137±$195Highest
8% below VT
$996±$285Lowest
19% below VT
—
Castleton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,167
37% below VT
$3,485Highest
31% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
67.7%±21.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Castleton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974Lowest
2 yrs older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
17% below VT
31 minHighest
31% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
6.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock and Washington 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 #39 of 70 in VT — —
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 —
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.