Compare towns

White River Junction vs Windsor vs Pownal

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%).
Windsor has the most affordable homes ($208k median).
Pownal has the most homeowners (92.6%).

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.

MeasureWhite River JunctionWindsorPownal
People
Population
3,364
3,554Highest
3,265Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.2%
VT: +2.8%
-7.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
33.7±3.2Lowest
22% below VT
44.8±6.5
4% above VT
49±9.1Highest
14% above VT
Pownal and Windsor 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%
19.5%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.4%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Windsor and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
12.5%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
27.5%±6.3
VT: 21.4%
Windsor and Pownal 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%
39.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
28.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±1.1
VT: 7%
0.7%±0.8Lowest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.5Highest
VT: 7%
Pownal 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
5% below VT
$52,484±$11kLowest
35% below VT
$64,163±$21k
21% below VT
White River Junction and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$278,800±$78kHighest
12% below VT
$207,500±$31kLowest
34% below VT
$256,600±$32k
19% below VT
White River Junction and Pownal 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
$1,026±$89
17% below VT
$944±$139Lowest
24% below VT
White River Junction and Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,651Highest
12% above VT
$5,209
3% above VT
$3,560Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±17.3
VT: 48.4%
31.5%±17Lowest
VT: 48.4%
48.4%±18.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Pownal 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%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
57.8%
VT: 73.2%
92.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963
13 yrs older than VT
1945Lowest
31 yrs older than VT
1969Highest
7 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
15 minLowest
35% below VT
23 minHighest
3% below VT
21 min
10% below VT
Work from home
15.7%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
10.3%±5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.4%±6.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Pownal 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 — #61 of 70 in VT #67 of 70 in VT
School district — — Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
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.