Compare towns

Sandgate vs Williston vs Middlesex vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sandgate has the most people working from home (34.6%).
Williston has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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.

MeasureSandgateWillistonMiddlesexWheelock
People
Population
435Lowest
10,144Highest
1,943
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
55.7±5.4Highest
29% above VT
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
44.4±3.9Lowest
3% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Sandgate and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.1%±7.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
20.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
Middlesex and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26%±11.3
VT: 21.4%
21%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Sandgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.8%
VT: 43.8%
54.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Williston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,167±$19k
15% below VT
$106,967±$12k
32% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Middlesex and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$193,800±$31k
39% below VT
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$376,300±$40k
19% above VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,333±$359Lowest
8% above VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,778Lowest
45% below VT
$5,592
11% above VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$2,937
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Sandgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.3%
VT: 73.2%
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1959Lowest
17 yrs older than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
16% above VT
20 minLowest
16% below VT
27 min
17% above VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
34.6%±32.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Sandgate and Middlesex 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 — #11 of 70 in VT — —
School district — Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
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.