Compare towns
Reading vs Norwich vs Cavendish
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Cavendish has the most affordable homes ($285k 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 | Reading | Norwich | Cavendish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 699Lowest |
3,640Highest |
1,242 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.1±7.6Highest 19% above VT |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% below VT |
45.2±5.9 5% above VT |
| Reading and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±4.8Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Norwich and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±2 VT: 21.4% |
| Reading and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46% VT: 43.8% |
81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
39.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4Highest VT: 7% |
4.3%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Norwich and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $85,000±$19kLowest 5% above VT |
$140,313±$12kHighest 73% above VT |
$89,063±$29k 10% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
$285,100±$40kLowest 10% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,100±$331 11% below VT |
$1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
$1,000±$546Lowest 19% below VT |
| Norwich and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,754 14% above VT |
$10,000+Highest at least 98% above VT |
$3,948Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±31.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
28.9%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Reading and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
81.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 7 yrs older than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
19 min 19% below VT |
19 minLowest 21% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.9%±10.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
21%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
18.5%±6.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Reading 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 | — |
| School district | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Norwich School District | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| 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 |
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.