Compare towns
Waitsfield vs Castleton vs Fayston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
Bordering WaitsfieldWaitsfield
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waitsfield has the oldest population (median age 74.8).
Castleton has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Fayston has the highest household income ($110k).
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 | Waitsfield | Castleton | Fayston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 193Lowest |
4,453Highest |
1,342 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+0.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 74.8±13.4Highest 74% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
46.9±3.5 9% above VT |
| Kids under 18 | 0%±14.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
19.3%±3.8Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Fayston and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 71.5%±17.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
19.6%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 71.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
66.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±9.1 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
3.1%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $26,384±$5kLowest 68% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$110,250±$28kHighest 36% above VT |
| Fayston and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $453,100±$98k 43% above VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$502,400±$82kHighest 59% above VT |
| Fayston and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,137±$195Lowest 8% below VT |
$1,654±$274Highest 34% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,688 7% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$6,689Highest 33% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.1%±49.6 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
6.3%±27.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 33.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
87%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 40% below VT |
19 min 17% below VT |
29 minHighest 25% above VT |
| Work from home | 31%±23.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
26.2%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Waitsfield and Fayston 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 | — |
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 12 photos → | 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.