Compare towns
Richmond vs Worcester vs Thetford 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 most kids (21.5% under 18).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Thetford has the youngest population (median age 43.6).
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 | Worcester | Thetford | Williston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,159 |
831Lowest |
2,813 |
10,144Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+7.2% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
43.6±6.2Lowest about the VT average |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
| Worcester and Williston 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%±4.8 VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Williston 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% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.8%±6 VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Williston and Thetford 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% |
53%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
68%Highest VT: 43.8% |
54.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
6.7%±4.5 VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Thetford 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 |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$88,045±$16k 8% 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$329,500±$96k 4% 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 | — | $1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,141±$96 8% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868 36% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,948Highest 38% above VT |
$5,592 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
49.7%±30.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Thetford and Williston 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% |
8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.1% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
23 min 4% below VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.6%±6.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6 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 | — | #40 of 70 in VT | #11 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Thetford School District | 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.