Compare towns

Waterville vs Randolph vs Bakersfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waterville has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Randolph has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Bakersfield has the most homeowners (94%).

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.

MeasureWatervilleRandolphBakersfield
People
Population
680Lowest
4,843Highest
1,109
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
49.1±8.2Highest
14% above VT
40.4±7.4Lowest
6% below VT
46.4±8
8% above VT
Waterville and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±8.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±4.4
VT: 17.9%
13.6%±3.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Waterville and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.9%±4.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
Randolph and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
40.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
39.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.3Lowest
VT: 7%
11.2%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
7.5%±4.7
VT: 7%
Randolph and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
$76,758±$6k
5% below VT
$83,462±$18kHighest
about the VT average
Bakersfield and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$236,300±$15kLowest
25% below VT
$278,700±$38kHighest
12% below VT
$271,300±$19k
14% below VT
Randolph and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,110±$93Lowest
10% below VT
$1,172±$173
5% below VT
$1,200±$327Highest
about the VT average
Bakersfield and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,957
21% below VT
$4,698Highest
7% below VT
$3,823Lowest
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±27.2
VT: 48.4%
54.1%±17.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
18.8%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Randolph and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
7.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%
VT: 73.2%
67.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
60% above VT
21 minLowest
12% below VT
33 min
40% above VT
Work from home
8.5%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
12.9%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
14.2%±7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Bakersfield and Randolph 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 — #55 of 70 in VT —
School district Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town None in town Randolph Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.4
—
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.