Compare towns
Richmond vs Wilder vs Sharon 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).
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Sharon has the most homeowners (79.7%).
Williston has the most expensive homes ($476k 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 | Richmond | Wilder | Sharon | Williston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,159 |
3,087 |
1,577Lowest |
10,144Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.9% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
45.5±8.9 6% above VT |
45.6±7.7Highest 6% above VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
| Sharon and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.5%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21%±5 VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Sharon 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% |
27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
25.1%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Sharon 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% |
60.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7 VT: 7% |
8.1%±3.9Highest VT: 7% |
1.5%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
| Wilder and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
$75,143±$9kLowest 7% below VT |
$84,375±$17k 4% above VT |
$106,967±$12k 32% above VT |
| Richmond and Williston 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 |
$273,200±$18kLowest 14% below VT |
$346,700±$37k 10% 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 | — | $1,142±$451Lowest 7% below VT |
$1,386±$155 12% above VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868Highest 36% above VT |
$5,505Lowest 9% above VT |
$5,903 17% above VT |
$5,592 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
19.8%±17.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Williston and Wilder 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% |
9.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8% VT: 73.2% |
62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
79.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
75.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1981Lowest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
17 minLowest 29% below VT |
26 minHighest 12% above VT |
20 min 16% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.6%±6.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
12.7%±3.7 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 | — | — | #11 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | — | Sharon School District | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 |
| High school 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.