Compare towns
Johnson vs Brighton vs Swanton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Johnson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).
Brighton has the most people working from home (12.4%).
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 | Brighton | Swanton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,450Highest |
1,167Lowest |
2,670 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
37.8±4.7 12% below VT |
| Brighton and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22.7%±5 VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24.3%±8.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| 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 VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.3%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
25.9% VT: 43.8% |
20.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 14.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
2.2%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $55,346±$14k 32% below VT |
$47,375±$21kLowest 42% below VT |
$66,607±$27kHighest 18% below VT |
| Swanton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $169,400±$62k 46% below VT |
$163,900±$39kLowest 48% below VT |
$229,000±$15kHighest 28% below VT |
| Swanton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $948±$45 23% below VT |
$775±$33Lowest 37% below VT |
$1,238±$103Highest about the VT average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,310Lowest 34% below VT |
$3,360 33% below VT |
$4,370Highest 13% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±20.8 VT: 48.4% |
55%±17Highest VT: 48.4% |
36.1%±21.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Brighton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
22%Highest VT: 10.1% |
20.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 58.4% VT: 73.2% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
64.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1967 9 yrs older than VT |
1952Lowest 24 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 42% above VT |
33 min 41% above VT |
21 minLowest 9% below VT |
| Work from home | 8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
12.4%±8.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.4%±4.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Brighton 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 | Brighton School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.