Compare towns
Waterville vs Wells vs Johnson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waterville has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Johnson has the youngest population (median age 30.9).
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 | Waterville | Wells | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 680Lowest |
1,148 |
3,450Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.9% VT: +2.8% |
+5.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 49.1±8.2 14% above VT |
50.7±5.2Highest 18% above VT |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
| Wells and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.4%±8.2 VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Johnson and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 14.4%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
24.5%±2.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.1% VT: 43.8% |
29.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.3%±3.3 VT: 7% |
3%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $71,250±$27k 12% below VT |
$75,417±$11kHighest 7% below VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
| Wells and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $236,300±$15k 25% below VT |
$243,000±$42kHighest 23% below VT |
$169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
| Wells and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,110±$93 10% below VT |
$1,313±$282Highest 6% above VT |
$948±$45Lowest 23% below VT |
| Wells and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,957Highest 21% below VT |
$3,308Lowest 34% below VT |
$3,310 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±27.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
62.5%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
51.6%±20.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Wells and Johnson 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% |
15.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
12.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% VT: 73.2% |
93.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 38 min 60% above VT |
48 minHighest 102% above VT |
33 minLowest 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 8.5%±3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±6.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Wells and Johnson 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 | — | — | #57 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | None 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.