Compare towns

Reading vs Whitingham vs Washington

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%).
Whitingham has the youngest population (median age 46.4).
Washington has the most affordable homes ($218k 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.

MeasureReadingWhitinghamWashington
People
Population
699Lowest
1,368Highest
1,056
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.1±7.6
19% above VT
46.4±7.1Lowest
8% above VT
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
Washington 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%
19.8%±4.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Whitingham 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%
31.1%±2.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Whitingham 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%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
31%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.2%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
Reading and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$70,625±$11k
13% below VT
$66,103±$8kLowest
19% below VT
Reading and Whitingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$262,300±$30k
17% below VT
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,100±$331Highest
11% below VT
$673±$150Lowest
45% below VT
$996±$285
19% below VT
Reading and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$5,055
about the VT average
$3,485Lowest
31% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
62.7%±47.3
VT: 48.4%
34.5%±63.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Whitingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
15.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.2%
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1974
2 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
41% above VT
38 minHighest
62% above VT
31 minLowest
31% above VT
Work from home
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
9.7%±5.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Twin Valley Unified School District #75 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
High school in town None in town Twin Valley Middle High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
7.8
—
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.