Compare towns

Washington vs Ferrisburgh vs Chelsea

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Washington has the most affordable homes ($218k median).
Ferrisburgh has the most expensive homes ($423k median).
Chelsea has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonFerrisburghChelsea
People
Population
1,056Lowest
2,661Highest
1,223
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
-4.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1
23% above VT
45.5±4.9Lowest
6% above VT
54.1±12.1Highest
26% above VT
Chelsea and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.5%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
21.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Chelsea and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
23.3%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±3.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
Chelsea and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31%
VT: 43.8%
51.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
29.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2Lowest
VT: 7%
3%±2.8
VT: 7%
4.8%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
Chelsea and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,103±$8k
19% below VT
$106,989±$22kHighest
32% above VT
$65,913±$13kLowest
19% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
$422,700±$35kHighest
34% above VT
$260,900±$39k
18% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$996±$285Lowest
19% below VT
$1,435±$173
16% above VT
$1,524±$467Highest
24% above VT
Chelsea and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485Lowest
31% below VT
$6,120Highest
21% above VT
$3,762
25% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
57%±19.5
VT: 48.4%
66.3%±33.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Chelsea and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%
VT: 10.1%
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
14.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85.3%
VT: 73.2%
81.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1968
8 yrs older than VT
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
31% above VT
28 minLowest
21% above VT
30 min
28% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.6%±4.2
VT: 16.9%
12.6%±7.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Washington and Ferrisburgh 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 — #7 of 70 in VT —
School district Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 First Branch Unified School District #82
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

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.