Compare towns
Waitsfield vs Norwich vs Barnard
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waitsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.3%).
Norwich has the most expensive homes ($638k median).
Barnard has the most kids (26.9% under 18).
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 | Norwich | Barnard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,918 |
3,640Highest |
1,211Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+4.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44.3±5.3Highest about the VT average |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% below VT |
42.4±6 about the VT average |
| Waitsfield and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.8%±5.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
26.9%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barnard and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±6.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Waitsfield and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 63.6% VT: 43.8% |
81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
55.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±3 VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
| Norwich and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $84,375±$34kLowest 4% above VT |
$140,313±$12kHighest 73% above VT |
$97,581±$19k 20% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $422,400±$92k 33% above VT |
$637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
$402,600±$71kLowest 27% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$821Lowest about the VT average |
$1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
$1,372±$80 11% above VT |
| Norwich and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,208 23% above VT |
$10,000+Highest at least 98% above VT |
$6,038Lowest 20% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.4%±30.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
27%±19.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Waitsfield and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.8% VT: 10.1% |
2.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% VT: 73.2% |
71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
19 minLowest 19% below VT |
29 minHighest 21% above VT |
| Work from home | 19%±6.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
21%±5.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
19.3%±10.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Norwich and Barnard 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 | — | #1 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 | Norwich School District | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.