Compare towns
Hartford vs Essex Junction vs Randolph
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hartford has the oldest population (median age 43.2).
Essex Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+14.2%).
Randolph has the most affordable homes ($279k 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 | Hartford | Essex Junction | Randolph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,736 |
10,803Highest |
4,843Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.4% VT: +2.8% |
+14.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.2±3.9Highest about the VT average |
39.3±3.1Lowest 9% below VT |
40.4±7.4 6% below VT |
| Hartford and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18%±3 VT: 17.9% |
19.6%±3.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±4.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Essex Junction and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.5%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
14.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Randolph and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.6% VT: 43.8% |
52.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
40.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
6.7%±2.2 VT: 7% |
11.2%±2.5Highest VT: 7% |
| Randolph and Essex Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,125±$7k 4% below VT |
$89,257±$16kHighest 10% above VT |
$76,758±$6kLowest 5% below VT |
| Essex Junction and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $304,500±$26k 4% below VT |
$407,500±$20kHighest 29% above VT |
$278,700±$38kLowest 12% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,218±$118 about the VT average |
$1,544±$135Highest 25% above VT |
$1,172±$173Lowest 5% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,773 15% above VT |
$6,797Highest 35% above VT |
$4,698Lowest 7% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±12.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
61.3%±14.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
54.1%±17.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Essex Junction and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
9.5% VT: 10.1% |
7.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 67.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
59.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
67.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 22% below VT |
19 min 18% below VT |
21 minHighest 12% below VT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±4Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.9%±4.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Essex Junction and Hartford 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 | #34 of 70 in VT | #14 of 70 in VT | #55 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Hartford School District | Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51 | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 |
| High school in town | Hartford High School | Essex High School | Randolph Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.6 |
11.7Highest |
9.4Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.