Compare towns

Orwell vs Proctor vs Whiting vs Orange

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Orwell has the most expensive homes ($336k median).
Proctor has the most affordable homes ($206k median).
Whiting has the most renters (34.6% rent).
Orange has the oldest population (median age 50.3).

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.

MeasureOrwellProctorWhitingOrange
People
Population
1,294
1,586Highest
532Lowest
957
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
— —
-2.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.5±7
10% above VT
47.3±8.9
10% above VT
39.6±2.7Lowest
8% below VT
50.3±5.3Highest
17% above VT
Orange and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±5.4
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±5
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±6.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Whiting and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
23.5%±2.6
VT: 21.4%
13%±5.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.4%±4
VT: 21.4%
Orwell and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
28%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%
VT: 43.8%
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.9
VT: 7%
3.9%±1.9
VT: 7%
6.2%±4Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Whiting and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,417±$22kLowest
13% below VT
$75,060±$12k
8% below VT
$91,250±$38kHighest
12% above VT
$71,302±$13k
12% below VT
Whiting and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$335,600±$25kHighest
6% above VT
$206,000±$20kLowest
35% below VT
$280,400±$36k
11% below VT
$222,000±$22k
30% below VT
Orwell and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,105±$51
10% below VT
$1,059±$200Lowest
14% below VT
$1,204±$519
about the VT average
$1,330±$153Highest
8% above VT
Orange and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,914
22% below VT
$3,944
22% below VT
$4,227Highest
16% below VT
$3,545Lowest
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.1%±35.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
39.4%±15.6
VT: 48.4%
58.3%±37.3
VT: 48.4%
0%±87Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Orwell and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
VT: 10.1%
10%
VT: 10.1%
11.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.3%
VT: 73.2%
86.3%
VT: 73.2%
65.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1975
1 yr older than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
15% above VT
22 min
5% below VT
22 minLowest
7% below VT
28 minHighest
19% above VT
Work from home
13.3%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
10%±5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
10%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
Orange and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 — Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
High school in town None in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.