Compare towns
Richmond vs Stowe vs Worcester vs Bolton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Bolton has the youngest population (median age 36.3).
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 | Richmond | Stowe | Worcester | Bolton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,159 |
5,285Highest |
831Lowest |
1,163 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+21.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+10.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
46.3±7.6 7% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
36.3±1.7Lowest 16% below VT |
| Worcester and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±4.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
14.9%±4 VT: 17.9% |
| Stowe and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
25.8%±6.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
6.7%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Stowe and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.1% VT: 43.8% |
66.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
58.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7 VT: 7% |
1.6%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.7%±1.8 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,235±$24k 33% above VT |
$93,618±$33k 15% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$111,125±$17kHighest 37% above VT |
| Bolton and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,200±$39k 37% above VT |
$647,800±$157kHighest 105% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$311,600±$42k about the VT average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,458±$242Highest 18% above VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,299±$273 5% above VT |
| Stowe and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868 36% above VT |
$7,161Highest 42% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$4,826 4% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
24.5%±15.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
28%±30.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Richmond and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.2% VT: 10.1% |
9.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
2.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8% VT: 73.2% |
78.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
81.6% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
19 minLowest 18% below VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
28 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
24.4%±8.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±8.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Stowe and Worcester 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 | #5 of 70 in VT | — | — | — |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Stowe Town School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | None in town | Stowe High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.3 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.