Compare towns
White River Junction vs Durham vs Plainfield vs Johnson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Durham has the youngest population (median age 20.1).
Plainfield has the most homeowners (87.3%).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k median).
Durham is a college town. 70.2% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | White River Junction | Durham | Plainfield | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,364 |
10,681Highest |
2,522Lowest |
3,450 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+7.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4% U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 33.7±3.2 13% below U.S. |
20.1±0.2Lowest 48% below U.S. |
38.9±6.5Highest about the U.S. average |
30.9±6.5 21% below U.S. |
| Plainfield and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.1%±5 U.S.: 22% |
6.5%±2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.4%±5.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.7%±5 U.S.: 22% |
| Plainfield and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 12.5%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
7.5%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.8%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
10.8%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Plainfield and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
75.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
46.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
32.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
70.2%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
14.4%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,168±$4k 4% below U.S. |
$112,070±$25k 39% above U.S. |
$122,656±$13kHighest 52% above U.S. |
$55,346±$14kLowest 31% below U.S. |
| Plainfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $278,800±$78k 16% below U.S. |
$498,000±$45kHighest 50% above U.S. |
$442,400±$47k 33% above U.S. |
$169,400±$62kLowest 49% below U.S. |
| Durham and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,222±$216 14% below U.S. |
$1,302±$211 8% below U.S. |
$1,674±$181Highest 18% above U.S. |
$948±$45Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Plainfield and Durham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,651 81% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$7,904 153% above U.S. |
$3,310Lowest 6% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±17.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
55.4%±19.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
31.8%±23.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.6%±20.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Durham and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
12.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
53.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.3%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
58.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1973 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 15 minLowest 42% below U.S. |
17 min 35% below U.S. |
22 min 17% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 26% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.7%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.6%±3.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±8.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.8%±4.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Plainfield and White River Junction 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 | — | #9 of 120 in NH | #19 of 120 in NH | #57 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | — | Plainfield School District | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | — | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.