Compare towns
Halifax vs Newfane vs Westminster vs Whitingham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Halifax has the youngest population (median age 40.6).
Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
Westminster has the highest household income ($81k).
Whitingham has the most affordable homes ($262k 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 | Halifax | Newfane | Westminster | Whitingham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 847 |
1,456Highest |
497Lowest |
1,368 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | -1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 6% below VT |
54.4±3.9Highest 26% above VT |
43.3±11.5 about the VT average |
46.4±7.1 8% above VT |
| Newfane and Whitingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 25.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
19.8%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2 VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±11.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
31.1%±2.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Whitingham and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.4% VT: 43.8% |
32.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5 VT: 7% |
2.2%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Newfane and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $63,889±$7kLowest 21% below VT |
$66,719±$21k 18% below VT |
$81,000±$22kHighest about the VT average |
$70,625±$11k 13% below VT |
| Westminster and Whitingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21k 16% below VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
$313,600±$39kHighest about the VT average |
$262,300±$30kLowest 17% below VT |
| Westminster and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $875±$154 29% below VT |
$1,266±$238Highest about the VT average |
$749±$315 39% below VT |
$673±$150Lowest 45% below VT |
| Newfane and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991 about the VT average |
$5,174Highest about the VT average |
$4,480Lowest 11% below VT |
$5,055 about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8 VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
62.7%±47.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Whitingham and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
15.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% VT: 73.2% |
87.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 8 yrs older than VT |
1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1974Highest 2 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 38% above VT |
27 minLowest 13% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
38 minHighest 62% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9 VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9 VT: 16.9% |
9.7%±5.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Halifax 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 | Halifax School District | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | — | Twin Valley Unified School District #75 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | Twin Valley Middle High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.