Compare towns
Danby vs Williston vs Putney vs Wells
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Wells has the most affordable homes ($243k 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 | Danby | Williston | Putney | Wells |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133Lowest |
10,144Highest |
2,622 |
1,148 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
50.7±5.2 18% above VT |
| Danby and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Williston and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
24.5%±2.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wells and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
54.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
29.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$75,417±$11kLowest 7% below VT |
| Williston and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$243,000±$42kLowest 23% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166 36% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,313±$282 6% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543 10% below VT |
$5,592Highest 11% above VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$3,308Lowest 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4 VT: 48.4% |
62.5%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Wells and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4% VT: 10.1% |
4.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
15.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
75.1% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
20 min 16% below VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
48 minHighest 102% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±6.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Williston and Putney 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 | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 6 photos → | 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.