Compare towns

Washington vs Guilford vs Wells

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).
Guilford has the most expensive homes ($313k median).
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonGuilfordWells
People
Population
1,056Lowest
2,461Highest
1,148
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
0%
VT: +2.8%
+5.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
46.7±5.2Lowest
8% above VT
50.7±5.2
18% above VT
Washington and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
17.5%±4.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.1%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Guilford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
27.6%±4Highest
VT: 21.4%
24.5%±2.2
VT: 21.4%
Guilford and Wells 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%
44.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
29.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
3%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
Wells and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,103±$8kLowest
19% below VT
$75,243±$6k
7% below VT
$75,417±$11kHighest
7% below VT
Wells and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
$312,600±$39kHighest
about the VT average
$243,000±$42k
23% below VT
Guilford and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$996±$285Lowest
19% below VT
$1,283±$273
4% above VT
$1,313±$282Highest
6% above VT
Wells and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485
31% below VT
$5,827Highest
16% above VT
$3,308Lowest
34% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
62.5%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Wells and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10.6%
VT: 10.1%
15.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
93.4%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
31% above VT
25 minLowest
7% above VT
48 minHighest
102% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
16.7%±5.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.3%±6.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Guilford and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69
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.