Compare towns
Richmond vs Strafford vs Ferrisburgh vs Williston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Richmond has the youngest population (median age 43.7).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Ferrisburgh has the most affordable homes ($423k median).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
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 | Strafford | Ferrisburgh | Williston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,159 |
1,372Lowest |
2,661 |
10,144Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
-4.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
45.5±4.9 6% above VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
| Strafford and Ferrisburgh 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% |
23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±4.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
23.3%±3.8Highest VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Ferrisburgh and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53.3% VT: 43.8% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
3%±2.8 VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Williston and Strafford 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 |
$110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
$106,989±$22k 32% above VT |
$106,967±$12kLowest 32% above VT |
| Strafford 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 |
$431,300±$40k 36% above VT |
$422,700±$35kLowest 34% above VT |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
| Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,125±$789Lowest 9% below VT |
$1,435±$173 16% above VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868 36% above VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$6,120 21% above VT |
$5,592Lowest 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
57%±19.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Ferrisburgh and Williston 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% |
5.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8% VT: 73.2% |
88.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.3% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
23 min about the VT average |
28 minHighest 21% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
14.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Richmond and Williston 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 | — | #7 of 70 in VT | #11 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Strafford School District | Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.