Compare towns
White River Junction vs Orleans vs Johnson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Orleans has the oldest population (median age 41.7).
Johnson has the most kids (22.7% under 18).
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 | Orleans | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,364 |
809Lowest |
3,450Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 33.7±3.2 22% below VT |
41.7±5.8Highest 3% below VT |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
| Orleans 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%±5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Johnson and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.5%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±3.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
24.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3.7%±2.1 VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,168±$4kHighest 5% below VT |
$57,159±$10k 30% below VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $278,800±$78kHighest 12% below VT |
$156,300±$18kLowest 51% below VT |
$169,400±$62k 46% below VT |
| White River Junction and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,222±$216Highest about the VT average |
$810±$94Lowest 34% below VT |
$948±$45 23% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,651Highest 12% above VT |
$3,019Lowest 40% below VT |
$3,310 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
27.3%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
51.6%±20.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Johnson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.1% VT: 10.1% |
8.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
64.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.4% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963 13 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 15 minLowest 35% below VT |
31 min 33% above VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 15.7%±5.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.3%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
| White River Junction 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 |
| High school 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.