Compare towns

Johnson vs Williston vs Middlesex

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).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).

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.

MeasureJohnsonWillistonMiddlesex
People
Population
3,450
10,144Highest
1,943Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
30.9±6.5Lowest
28% below VT
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
Williston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.7%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
20.5%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
Johnson and Middlesex 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%
21%±3.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
Williston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
14.4%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$55,346±$14kLowest
32% below VT
$106,967±$12k
32% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
Middlesex and Williston 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
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$376,300±$40k
19% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$948±$45Lowest
23% below VT
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,310Lowest
34% below VT
$5,592
11% above VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.6%±20.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Johnson and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
58.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
75.1%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
42% above VT
20 minLowest
16% below VT
27 min
17% above VT
Work from home
8.8%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Williston 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 #11 of 70 in VT —
School district Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None 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.