Compare towns
Washington vs Williston vs Lempster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the oldest population (median age 55).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Lempster has the most affordable homes ($242k 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 | Washington | Williston | Lempster |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,208 |
10,144Highest |
953Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 55±4.7Highest 41% above U.S. |
45.4±4.5Lowest 17% above U.S. |
50.8±7.2 31% above U.S. |
| Washington and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.8%±4.9 U.S.: 22% |
20.5%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.8%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Williston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 29%±3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.4%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Washington and Lempster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Lempster and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $89,453±$12k 11% above U.S. |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above U.S. |
$86,607±$12kLowest 7% above U.S. |
| Williston and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $358,600±$32k 8% above U.S. |
$475,800±$40kHighest 43% above U.S. |
$241,900±$29kLowest 27% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,106±$160Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,832±$130Highest 30% above U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,321Lowest 39% above U.S. |
$5,592Highest 79% above U.S. |
$4,558 46% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±88.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
100%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Lempster and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
98.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 36 min 34% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
37 minHighest 41% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.3%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
5%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Williston and Washington 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 | Washington School District | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Lempster School District |
| 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 |
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.