Compare towns

Randolph vs Williston vs Poultney

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Randolph has the most renters (32.8% rent).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Poultney has the most affordable homes ($206k 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.

MeasureRandolphWillistonPoultney
People
Population
4,843
10,144Highest
3,010Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.1%
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-12%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
40.4±7.4
6% below VT
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
34±5.6Lowest
21% below VT
Williston and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.3%±4.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
20.5%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.8%±3.8
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.9%±4.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
21%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
Randolph and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
40.8%
VT: 43.8%
54.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
11.2%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7Lowest
VT: 7%
9.3%±2.3
VT: 7%
Randolph and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$76,758±$6k
5% below VT
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above VT
$72,617±$6kLowest
11% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$278,700±$38k
12% below VT
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$206,200±$18kLowest
35% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,172±$173
5% below VT
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$913±$84Lowest
26% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,698
7% below VT
$5,592Highest
11% above VT
$3,520Lowest
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.1%±17.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
43.3%±17.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Randolph and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.7%
VT: 10.1%
4.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
67.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
75.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
71.3%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
12% below VT
20 minLowest
16% below VT
29 minHighest
24% above VT
Work from home
12.9%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.3%±4.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Randolph 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 #55 of 70 in VT #11 of 70 in VT #41 of 70 in VT
School district Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70
High school in town Randolph Union High School None in town Poultney High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.4Lowest
—
10.5Highest
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.