Compare towns

Wells vs Groton vs Washington

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wells has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).
Groton has the youngest population (median age 45.7).
Washington has the most people working from home (14.9%).

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.

MeasureWellsGrotonWashington
People
Population
1,148Highest
967Lowest
1,056
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.7±5.2
18% above VT
45.7±5.8Lowest
6% above VT
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
Washington and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
13.3%±2.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±4.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Washington and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.5%±2.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.5%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
Wells and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
29.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
38.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
31%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±2.1
VT: 7%
7.5%±5.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.7%±2Lowest
VT: 7%
Groton and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$75,417±$11k
7% below VT
$77,250±$14kHighest
5% below VT
$66,103±$8kLowest
19% below VT
Groton and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$243,000±$42kHighest
23% below VT
$243,000±$70kHighest
23% below VT
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,313±$282Highest
6% above VT
$288±$151Lowest
77% below VT
$996±$285
19% below VT
Wells and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,308Lowest
34% below VT
$3,659Highest
27% below VT
$3,485
31% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.5%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
12.5%±72.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
34.5%±63.6
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
15.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.8%
VT: 10.1%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
48 minHighest
102% above VT
30 minLowest
29% above VT
31 min
31% above VT
Work from home
11.3%±6.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
12.3%±7
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±5.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Washington and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 — Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
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.