Compare towns

Norwich vs White River Junction vs Hartford vs Richmond

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Norwich has the most expensive homes ($638k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Richmond has the most homeowners (78.8%).

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.

MeasureNorwichWhite River JunctionHartfordRichmond
People
Population
3,640
3,364Lowest
10,736Highest
4,159
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%
VT: +2.8%
+10.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+7.4%
VT: +2.8%
+2.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
40.8±3.2
5% below VT
33.7±3.2Lowest
22% below VT
43.2±3.9
about the VT average
43.7±5.6Highest
about the VT average
Richmond and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18%±3
VT: 17.9%
21.5%±5
VT: 17.9%
Norwich and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.5%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±6.3
VT: 21.4%
Hartford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
81%Highest
VT: 43.8%
38.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
47.6%
VT: 43.8%
59.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.4
VT: 7%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
4.9%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±1.7
VT: 7%
Hartford and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$140,313±$12kHighest
73% above VT
$77,168±$4kLowest
5% below VT
$78,125±$7k
4% below VT
$108,235±$24k
33% above VT
Norwich and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
$278,800±$78kLowest
12% below VT
$304,500±$26k
4% below VT
$432,200±$39k
37% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,460±$322Highest
18% above VT
$1,222±$216
about the VT average
$1,218±$118Lowest
about the VT average
—
Norwich and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 98% above VT
$5,651Lowest
12% above VT
$5,773
15% above VT
$6,868
36% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.7%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
42.9%±17.3
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±12.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
28.5%±15.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Hartford and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
11.1%
VT: 10.1%
4.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%
VT: 73.2%
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
67.8%
VT: 73.2%
78.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1963Lowest
13 yrs older than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 min
19% below VT
15 minLowest
35% below VT
18 min
22% below VT
25 minHighest
6% above VT
Work from home
21%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
15.7%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±6.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
Richmond and Norwich 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 #1 of 70 in VT — #34 of 70 in VT #5 of 70 in VT
School district Norwich School District — Hartford School District Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401
High school in town None in town — Hartford High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.6
—
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.