Compare towns
White River Junction vs Worcester vs Calais
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%).
Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
Calais has the most expensive homes ($390k 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 | Worcester | Calais |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,364Highest |
831Lowest |
1,713 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 33.7±3.2Lowest 22% below VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
42±8.6 about the VT average |
| Worcester and Calais 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Calais 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% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 38.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,168±$4k 5% below VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$100,625±$27kHighest 24% above VT |
| Calais and White River Junction 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
| Calais 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±$216 about the VT average |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
| Calais and White River Junction 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 |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Calais 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% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1963Lowest 13 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 15 minLowest 35% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 15.7%±5.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.