Compare towns
Torrey vs Williston vs Ashland
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Torrey has the most affordable homes ($206k median).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Ashland has the oldest population (median age 55.2).
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 | Torrey | Williston | Ashland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 996 |
10,144Highest |
701Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-13%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 54.1±7.7 39% above U.S. |
45.4±4.5Lowest 17% above U.S. |
55.2±6.8Highest 42% above U.S. |
| Ashland and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.5%±4.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Williston and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.8%±7.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
21%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
32.2%±8.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Ashland and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 26.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
30.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±3.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Williston and Ashland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $95,500±$16k 18% above U.S. |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above U.S. |
$69,583±$23kLowest 14% below U.S. |
| Williston and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $206,000±$38kLowest 38% below U.S. |
$475,800±$40kHighest 43% above U.S. |
$247,300±$47k 26% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$620 15% below U.S. |
$1,832±$130Highest 30% above U.S. |
$1,140±$135Lowest 19% below U.S. |
| Williston and Torrey are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,250Lowest 4% above U.S. |
$5,592Highest 79% above U.S. |
$4,340 39% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 7.8%±40.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
48.3%±41.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Ashland and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
80% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1966Lowest 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minHighest 3% below U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
25 min 7% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.4%±9.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.3%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.3%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Williston and Torrey 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 | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.