Compare towns
Sutton vs Franklin vs Williston vs Derby Line
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sutton has the most homeowners (85%).
Franklin has the youngest population (median age 38.8).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Derby Line has the most affordable homes ($201k 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 | Sutton | Franklin | Williston | Derby Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 790 |
1,590 |
10,144Highest |
783Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
46.7±13.3Highest 8% above VT |
| Derby Line and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.3%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
22.6%±8.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
24.9%±6.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Derby Line and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.8% VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
35.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
3.4%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $71,250±$18kLowest 12% below VT |
$79,917±$21k about the VT average |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above VT |
$71,518±$25k 12% below VT |
| Williston and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $231,100±$41k 27% below VT |
$247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
$201,000±$52kLowest 37% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $891±$266 28% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$835±$334Lowest 32% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,975 21% below VT |
$3,384 33% below VT |
$5,592Highest 11% above VT |
$3,275Lowest 35% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.8%±31.1 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
35.4%±24.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Williston and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
4.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85%Highest VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
75.1% VT: 73.2% |
83% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1956Lowest 20 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 26% above VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
24 min 3% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.5%±9.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Williston and Franklin 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 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | 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 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.