Compare towns
Washington vs Reading vs Wheelock
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 oldest population (median age 52.9).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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 | Reading | Wheelock |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,056Highest |
699Lowest |
717 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7% VT: +2.8% |
+3.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
51±5.6Lowest 18% above VT |
| Washington and Reading 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% |
18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Wheelock and Reading 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% |
28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
29.4%±4.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wheelock and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Reading and Wheelock 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 |
$85,000±$19kHighest 5% above VT |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
| Reading and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37k 31% below VT |
$377,200±$72kHighest 19% above VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Lowest 19% below VT |
$1,100±$331Highest 11% below VT |
— |
| Reading and Washington 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 |
$5,754Highest 14% above VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6 VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Reading and Washington 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% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4% VT: 73.2% |
84.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
28 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
21.1%±16 VT: 16.9% |
| Reading and Wheelock 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 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | — |
| High school 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.