Compare towns
Wilder vs Castleton vs Johnson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Castleton has the most homeowners (79%).
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 | Wilder | Castleton | Johnson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,087Lowest |
4,453Highest |
3,450 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9Highest 6% above VT |
38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
| Wilder and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.8%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Johnson and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 60.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
32.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,143±$9kHighest 7% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
| Wilder and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,200±$18kHighest 14% below VT |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
| Wilder and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451Highest 7% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$948±$45Lowest 23% below VT |
| Wilder and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,505Highest 9% above VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$3,310 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
51.6%±20.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
12.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9% VT: 73.2% |
79%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 17 minLowest 29% below VT |
19 min 17% below VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Wilder 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | #57 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | — | None 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.