Compare towns

Washington vs Wells 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).
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Wheelock has the most people working from home (21.1%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonWellsWheelock
People
Population
1,056
1,148Highest
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
+5.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
50.7±5.2Lowest
18% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Washington and Wheelock 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%
15.1%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock 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%
24.5%±2.2
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock 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%
29.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2Lowest
VT: 7%
3%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Wells 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
$75,417±$11kHighest
7% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Wells 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
$243,000±$42kHighest
23% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Wells and Washington 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
$1,313±$282Highest
6% above VT
—
Wells and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485Highest
31% below VT
$3,308
34% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
62.5%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Wells 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%
15.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%
VT: 73.2%
93.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
31% above VT
48 minHighest
102% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
11.3%±6.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock 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 Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.