Compare towns
Johnson vs Alstead vs Swanton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Johnson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).
Alstead has the oldest population (median age 56).
Swanton has the shortest commute (21 min average).
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 | Johnson | Alstead | Swanton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,450Highest |
1,551Lowest |
2,670 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.4% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 30.9±6.5Lowest 21% below U.S. |
56±3.3Highest 44% above U.S. |
37.8±4.7 about the U.S. average |
| Kids under 18 | 22.7%±5 U.S.: 22% |
12.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24.3%±8.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Swanton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 10.8%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.8%±4.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.3%±2.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
20.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 14.4%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.4%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $55,346±$14kLowest 31% below U.S. |
$64,526±$11k 20% below U.S. |
$66,607±$27kHighest 17% below U.S. |
| Swanton and Alstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $169,400±$62kLowest 49% below U.S. |
$271,600±$37kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$229,000±$15k 31% below U.S. |
| Alstead and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $948±$45Lowest 33% below U.S. |
— | $1,238±$103Highest 12% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,310Lowest 6% above U.S. |
$5,322Highest 71% above U.S. |
$4,370 40% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±20.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
72.1%±22.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
36.1%±21.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Alstead and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
20.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 58.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
76%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
64.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest same as U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1952Lowest 28 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 26% above U.S. |
32 min 20% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 19% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.8%±4.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.4%±4.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Alstead and Johnson 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 | #57 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | Fall Mountain Regional School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.