Compare towns
Waterville vs Williston vs Sutton 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 population (median age 49.1).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Sutton has the most homeowners (85%).
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 | Williston | Sutton | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 680Lowest |
10,144Highest |
790 |
3,450 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.9% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 49.1±8.2Highest 14% above VT |
45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
| Waterville and Sutton 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% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Johnson and Williston 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% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±2.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Sutton and Williston 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% |
54.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.8% VT: 43.8% |
32.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.3%±3.3 VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $71,250±$27k 12% below VT |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above VT |
$71,250±$18k 12% below VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
| Williston 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 |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
$231,100±$41k 27% below VT |
$169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,110±$93 10% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
— | $948±$45Lowest 23% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,957 21% below VT |
$5,592Highest 11% above VT |
$3,975 21% below VT |
$3,310Lowest 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±27.2 VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
51.6%±20.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Johnson and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.9% VT: 10.1% |
4.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
12.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.9% VT: 73.2% |
75.1% VT: 73.2% |
85%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 38 minHighest 60% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
33 min 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 8.5%±3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Williston and Sutton 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 | — | #11 of 70 in VT | — | #57 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.