What stands out worked out from the figures below

White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).

Jefferson has the most homeowners (90.5%).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	White River Junction	Jefferson
People
Population	3,364Highest	1,013Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+10.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	33.7±3.2Lowest 13% below U.S.	58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S.
Kids under 18	17.1%±5Highest U.S.: 22%	12.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22%
	White River Junction and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	12.5%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	33.7%±9.1Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	38.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1.2%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	2.2%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Jefferson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$77,168±$4kHighest 4% below U.S.	$67,188±$13kLowest 17% below U.S.
	White River Junction and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$278,800±$78kLowest 16% below U.S.	$296,700±$92kHighest 11% below U.S.
	Jefferson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,222±$216Highest 14% below U.S.	$867±$156Lowest 39% below U.S.
	White River Junction and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,651Highest 81% above U.S.	$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	42.9%±17.3Highest U.S.: 51.1%	16.7%±71.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	White River Junction and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	12.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	8.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	43.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S.	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	15 minLowest 42% below U.S.	35 minHighest 31% above U.S.
Work from home	15.7%±5.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	17.5%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Jefferson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.