Compare towns

Johnson vs Unity 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%).
Unity has the oldest population (median age 58).
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.

MeasureJohnsonUnitySwanton
People
Population
3,450Highest
1,375Lowest
2,670
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-9.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
30.9±6.5Lowest
21% below U.S.
58±4.5Highest
49% above U.S.
37.8±4.7
about the U.S. average
Kids under 18
22.7%±5
U.S.: 22%
12%±4.1Lowest
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%
34.9%±7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.3%±2.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
20.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.4%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$55,346±$14kLowest
31% below U.S.
$87,500±$16kHighest
8% above U.S.
$66,607±$27k
17% below U.S.
Unity and Swanton 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.
$276,100±$29kHighest
17% below U.S.
$229,000±$15k
31% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$948±$45Lowest
33% below U.S.
$1,625±$804Highest
15% above U.S.
$1,238±$103
12% below U.S.
Unity and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,310Lowest
6% above U.S.
$5,394Highest
73% above U.S.
$4,370
40% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.6%±20.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
36.1%±21.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Johnson and Unity 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%
6.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
20.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
58.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
94.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
64.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
same as U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1952Lowest
28 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
26% above U.S.
35 minHighest
32% above U.S.
21 minLowest
19% below U.S.
Work from home
8.8%±4.6
U.S.: 15.1%
9.5%±4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
7.4%±4.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Unity 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 Unity School District —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.