Compare towns
White River Junction vs Royalton vs Richmond 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%).
Royalton has the oldest population (median age 43.9).
Richmond has the most expensive homes ($432k median).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k median).
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 | Royalton | Richmond | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,364 |
2,752Lowest |
4,159Highest |
3,450 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 33.7±3.2 22% below VT |
43.9±10.1Highest about the VT average |
43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
| Royalton and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.1%±5 VT: 17.9% |
14.4%±5.8Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Johnson and Richmond 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% |
22.1%±6.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Royalton and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9% VT: 43.8% |
42.6% VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
8%±4.2 VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7 VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,168±$4k 5% below VT |
$103,938±$24k 28% above VT |
$108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
| Richmond and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $278,800±$78k 12% below VT |
$263,200±$73k 17% below VT |
$432,200±$39kHighest 37% above VT |
$169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,222±$216Highest about the VT average |
$1,040±$391 16% below VT |
— | $948±$45Lowest 23% below VT |
| White River Junction and Royalton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,651 12% above VT |
$4,675 7% below VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
$3,310Lowest 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
36.7%±16.1 VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest 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% |
13%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
63.5% VT: 73.2% |
78.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.4% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 13 yrs older than VT |
1965 11 yrs older than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 15 minLowest 35% below VT |
20 min 13% below VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 15.7%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
17.8%±7.3 VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Richmond and Royalton 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 | — | #48 of 70 in VT | #5 of 70 in VT | #57 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | White River Unified School District #79 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | — | White River Valley High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 8.7 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.