Compare towns

Reading vs Springfield vs Woodstock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Woodstock has the most expensive homes ($582k 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.

MeasureReadingSpringfieldWoodstock
People
Population
699Lowest
9,084Highest
3,027
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.1±7.6
19% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
56±3.6Highest
30% above VT
Woodstock and Reading 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%
18.6%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Springfield and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
23.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
32.7%±5.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
Woodstock and Reading 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%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
52.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
0.6%±0.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Reading and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,000±$19k
5% above VT
$66,571±$13kLowest
18% below VT
$120,938±$29kHighest
49% above VT
Woodstock and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$377,200±$72k
19% above VT
$192,400±$20kLowest
39% below VT
$582,000±$84kHighest
84% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$331
11% below VT
$963±$100Lowest
22% below VT
$1,430±$346Highest
16% above VT
Woodstock 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
$4,807Lowest
5% below VT
$9,449Highest
88% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6
VT: 48.4%
44.7%±17.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
14.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
69.4%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Highest
7 yrs older than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
41% above VT
27 min
16% above VT
22 minLowest
7% below VT
Work from home
22.9%±10.6
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
32.8%±12.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Woodstock and Reading 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 — #64 of 70 in VT #10 of 70 in VT
School district Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
High school in town None in town Springfield High School Woodstock Union Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
14.3Highest
11.5Lowest
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.