Compare towns
Waitsfield vs Salisbury vs Barnard
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waitsfield has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Salisbury has grown the fastest since 2010 (+15.6%).
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 | Salisbury | Barnard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,918 |
5,656Highest |
1,211Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+15.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.3±5.3 14% above U.S. |
51±6.9Highest 31% above U.S. |
42.4±6Lowest 9% above U.S. |
| Salisbury and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.8%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
12.3%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
26.9%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Barnard and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±6.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.1%±3.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Salisbury and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 63.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
50.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
55.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±3 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.4%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Salisbury 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 5% above U.S. |
$92,469±$7k 15% above U.S. |
$97,581±$19kHighest 21% above U.S. |
| Barnard and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $422,400±$92k 27% above U.S. |
$465,900±$31kHighest 40% above U.S. |
$402,600±$71kLowest 21% above U.S. |
| Salisbury and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$821Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,770±$444Highest 25% above U.S. |
$1,372±$80 about the U.S. average |
| Salisbury and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,208Highest 99% above U.S. |
$4,561Lowest 46% above U.S. |
$6,038 94% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.4%±30.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
59.8%±11.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
27%±19.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Salisbury and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
65.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
85.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 same as U.S. |
1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 5% below U.S. |
30 minHighest 13% above U.S. |
29 min 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 19%±6.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.7%±6.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.3%±10.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Salisbury 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 | — | #240 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 | — | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.