Compare towns
Johnson vs White River Junction vs Northfield 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 the most affordable homes ($169k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Northfield has the most homeowners (73.5%).
Swanton has the most kids (24.3% under 18).
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 | White River Junction | Northfield | Swanton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,450 |
3,364 |
5,920Highest |
2,670Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
33.7±3.2 22% below VT |
36.4±4.1 16% below VT |
37.8±4.7Highest 12% below VT |
| Swanton and Northfield 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% |
17.1%±5 VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.7Lowest 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% |
12.5%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
20%±3.8Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.3%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Northfield and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.2% VT: 43.8% |
38.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.6% VT: 43.8% |
20.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 14.4%±2.1 VT: 7% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
15.1%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.2%±1.7 VT: 7% |
| Northfield and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
$77,168±$4kHighest 5% below VT |
$71,768±$13k 12% below VT |
$66,607±$27k 18% below VT |
| White River Junction and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
$278,800±$78kHighest 12% below VT |
$274,400±$21k 13% below VT |
$229,000±$15k 28% below VT |
| White River Junction and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $948±$45Lowest 23% below VT |
$1,222±$216 about the VT average |
$1,018±$207 18% below VT |
$1,238±$103Highest about the VT average |
| Swanton and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,310Lowest 34% below VT |
$5,651Highest 12% above VT |
$4,878 3% below VT |
$4,370 13% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.6%±20.8 VT: 48.4% |
42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
36.1%±21.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Northfield and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.2% VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
20.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 58.4% VT: 73.2% |
43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
73.5%Highest VT: 73.2% |
64.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1963 13 yrs older than VT |
1956 20 yrs older than VT |
1952Lowest 24 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 42% above VT |
15 minLowest 35% below VT |
27 min 16% above VT |
21 min 9% below VT |
| Work from home | 8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
15.7%±5.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
7.4%±4.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| White River Junction and Northfield 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 | — | #42 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | — | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | — | Northfield Middle/High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.0 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.