Compare towns
Orwell vs Westminster vs Windham vs Whiting
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 oldest population (median age 47.5).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% under 18).
Windham has the most expensive homes ($354k median).
Whiting has the shortest commute (22 min average).
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 | Orwell | Westminster | Windham | Whiting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,294Highest |
497Lowest |
594 |
532 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
— | — | — |
| Median age | 47.5±7Highest 10% above VT |
43.3±11.5 about the VT average |
44.2±7.4 about the VT average |
39.6±2.7Lowest 8% below VT |
| Orwell and Windham 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% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.5%±7.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±6.9 VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Whiting 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% |
19.7%±11.4 VT: 21.4% |
23.2%±8.1 VT: 21.4% |
13%±5.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Orwell and Windham 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% |
45.4% VT: 43.8% |
48.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
25.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.6%±1.9 VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5 VT: 7% |
0.8%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
6.2%±4Highest VT: 7% |
| Whiting and Orwell 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 |
$81,000±$22k about the VT average |
$94,500±$12kHighest 16% above VT |
$91,250±$38k 12% above VT |
| Windham and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $335,600±$25k 6% above VT |
$313,600±$39k about the VT average |
$353,900±$20kHighest 12% above VT |
$280,400±$36kLowest 11% below VT |
| Windham and Orwell 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 |
$749±$315Lowest 39% below VT |
— | $1,204±$519Highest about the VT average |
| Whiting and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,914Lowest 22% below VT |
$4,480 11% below VT |
$5,951Highest 18% above VT |
$4,227 16% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 62.1%±35.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
41.2%±94 VT: 48.4% |
58.3%±37.3 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% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.9% VT: 10.1% |
11.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.1% VT: 73.2% |
82.9% VT: 73.2% |
65.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 15% above VT |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
22 minLowest 7% below VT |
| Work from home | 13.3%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
20.5%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
10%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Westminster and Windham 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 | — | #53 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | — | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 |
| High school 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.