Compare towns
Lowell vs Westminster vs Kirby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($183k median).
Westminster has the oldest population (median age 53.5).
Kirby has the most expensive homes ($303k median).
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 | Lowell | Westminster | Kirby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,070 |
2,999Highest |
756Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
53.5±3.7Highest 24% above VT |
38.8±7.1 10% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.2%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
30%±5.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Kirby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.6%±6.8Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.2%±5.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Westminster and Kirby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
4.4%±3.1 VT: 7% |
4.6%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Kirby and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15k 29% below VT |
$71,491±$4kHighest 12% below VT |
$54,792±$21kLowest 33% below VT |
| Westminster and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$273,800±$35k 14% below VT |
$302,900±$63kHighest 4% below VT |
| Kirby and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46 23% below VT |
$916±$126Lowest 26% below VT |
$1,250±$326Highest about the VT average |
| Kirby and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$4,063 19% below VT |
$4,597Highest 9% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
49.2%±7.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Westminster and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
21.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.5% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1985Highest 9 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
34 min 43% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27%±6.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
20.6%±9.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Westminster and Kirby 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 | — | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Lowell School District | Bellows Falls Union High School District #27 · Westminster School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Bellows Falls Union High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.6 |
— |
| 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.