Compare towns
Norwich vs Williston vs White River Junction
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).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
White River Junction has the most affordable homes ($279k 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 | Norwich | Williston | White River Junction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,640 |
10,144Highest |
3,364Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+10.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.8±3.2 5% below VT |
45.4±4.5Highest 5% above VT |
33.7±3.2Lowest 22% below 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% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±5Lowest 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% |
21%±3.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest 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% |
54.9% VT: 43.8% |
38.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7Highest VT: 7% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest 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 |
$106,967±$12k 32% above VT |
$77,168±$4kLowest 5% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
$475,800±$40k 50% above VT |
$278,800±$78kLowest 12% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,460±$322 18% above VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$1,222±$216Lowest about the VT average |
| 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 |
$5,592Lowest 11% above VT |
$5,651 12% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.7%±19.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
42.9%±17.3 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% |
4.3% VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1963Lowest 13 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 19 min 19% below VT |
20 minHighest 16% below VT |
15 minLowest 35% below VT |
| Work from home | 21%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
15.7%±5.8Lowest 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.