Compare towns

Norwich vs Williston vs Windsor

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%).
Windsor has the most affordable homes ($208k 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.

MeasureNorwichWillistonWindsor
People
Population
3,640
10,144Highest
3,554Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% below VT
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
44.8±6.5
4% above VT
Williston and Windsor 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%
19.5%±5.2Lowest
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%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Windsor and Williston 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%
39.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±2.4
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
0.7%±0.8Lowest
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
$52,484±$11kLowest
35% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
$475,800±$40k
50% above VT
$207,500±$31kLowest
34% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,460±$322
18% above VT
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,026±$89Lowest
17% below 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
$5,592
11% above VT
$5,209Lowest
3% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.7%±19.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
31.5%±17
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Windsor 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%
7.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%
VT: 73.2%
75.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
57.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1945Lowest
31 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
19 minLowest
19% below VT
20 min
16% below VT
23 minHighest
3% below VT
Work from home
21%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
10.3%±5Lowest
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 #61 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 History None yet None yet 12 photos →

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.