Compare towns
Richmond vs Worcester vs Putney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Richmond has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.1%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
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 | Worcester | Putney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,159Highest |
831Lowest |
2,622 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
| Worcester and Richmond 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±6.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
48.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
| Richmond and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,200±$39kHighest 37% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,023±$136Highest 17% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
| Worcester and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868Highest 36% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Richmond 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| 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 |
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.