Compare towns

Whiting vs Stratton vs Waterville vs Hancock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Whiting has the shortest commute (22 min average).
Stratton has the most expensive homes ($400k median).
Waterville has the oldest population (median age 49.1).
Hancock has the most affordable homes ($188k 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.

MeasureWhitingStrattonWatervilleHancock
People
Population
532
532
680Highest
435Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census — —
+1.9%
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
39.6±2.7
8% below VT
31.5±4.1Lowest
27% below VT
49.1±8.2Highest
14% above VT
33.8±11.6
22% below VT
Waterville and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.5%±6.9
VT: 17.9%
28%±7.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
20.4%±8.2
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±5.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Stratton and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13%±5.1
VT: 21.4%
11.7%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
14.4%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
19.8%±3.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
Hancock and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
33.2%
VT: 43.8%
32.1%
VT: 43.8%
34.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.2%±4Highest
VT: 7%
1.3%±2.8Lowest
VT: 7%
5.3%±3.3
VT: 7%
3.7%±3.6
VT: 7%
Whiting and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$91,250±$38k
12% above VT
$122,708±$33kHighest
51% above VT
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
$76,250±$34k
6% below VT
Stratton and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,400±$36k
11% below VT
$400,000±$50kHighest
26% above VT
$236,300±$15k
25% below VT
$187,900±$11kLowest
41% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,204±$519
about the VT average
$1,208±$979Highest
about the VT average
$1,110±$93
10% below VT
$939±$19Lowest
24% below VT
Stratton and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,227
16% below VT
$4,750Highest
6% below VT
$3,957
21% below VT
$3,511Lowest
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.3%±37.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
12%±69.8
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±27.2
VT: 48.4%
3.5%±16.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Whiting and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
0%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
4.9%
VT: 10.1%
5.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
65.4%
VT: 73.2%
73.3%
VT: 73.2%
79.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
59.5%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975
1 yr older than VT
1988Highest
12 yrs newer than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
7% below VT
33 min
39% above VT
38 minHighest
60% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
10%±5.4
VT: 16.9%
3.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
8.5%±3
VT: 16.9%
11.7%±5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Hancock and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 — Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A —
High school in town None in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.