Compare towns
Hartford vs Worcester vs Richmond
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hartford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.4%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Richmond has the most expensive homes ($432k 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 | Worcester | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,736Highest |
831Lowest |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.2±3.9Lowest about the VT average |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
| Worcester and Richmond 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.5%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Hartford and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±1.7 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Hartford 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 |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
| Richmond 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$432,200±$39kHighest 37% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,218±$118Highest about the VT average |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
— |
| Hartford and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,773 15% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±12.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Hartford and Richmond 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% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 67.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 22% below VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 13.9%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Richmond 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 | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Hartford School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | Hartford High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.6 |
— | — |
| 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.