Compare towns
Rupert vs Castleton vs Williston vs Ira
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Castleton has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
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 | Rupert | Castleton | Williston | Ira |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676 |
4,453 |
10,144Highest |
381Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
54.1±5.5 26% above VT |
| Rupert and Ira are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.5%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Williston and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
28.9%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
54.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
3.4%±3.5 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36k 9% above VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above VT |
$71,827±$5kLowest 12% below VT |
| Williston and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63k 14% above VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
$272,900±$18k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$942±$52Lowest 24% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 9% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$5,592Highest 11% above VT |
$4,146 18% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
36.4%±100 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
4.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 14% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
20 min 16% below VT |
28 minHighest 20% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
2.3%±2.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Williston and Rupert 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | #11 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.