Compare towns

Norwich vs White River Junction vs Williston

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 the most affordable homes ($279k median).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).

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 JunctionWilliston
People
Population
3,640
3,364Lowest
10,144Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+10.8%
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
40.8±3.2
5% below VT
33.7±3.2Lowest
22% below VT
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
Williston and Norwich 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%
20.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
Norwich and Williston 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%
21%±3.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
Williston and Norwich 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%
54.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.4
VT: 7%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
Williston 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
$106,967±$12k
32% above VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
$278,800±$78kLowest
12% below VT
$475,800±$40k
50% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,460±$322
18% above VT
$1,222±$216Lowest
about the VT average
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
Williston and Norwich 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
$5,651
12% above VT
$5,592Lowest
11% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.7%±19.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
42.9%±17.3
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
Williston 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%
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%
VT: 73.2%
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
75.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1963Lowest
13 yrs older than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 min
19% below VT
15 minLowest
35% below VT
20 minHighest
16% below VT
Work from home
21%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
15.7%±5.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
Williston 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 — #11 of 70 in VT
School district Norwich School District — Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.