Compare towns
Wilder vs Johnson vs Putney vs Richmond
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%).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k median).
Putney has the oldest housing (typical home built 1977).
Richmond has the most expensive homes ($432k 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 | Johnson | Putney | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,087 |
3,450 |
2,622Lowest |
4,159Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9Highest 6% above VT |
30.9±6.5Lowest 28% below VT |
37.2±5.2 14% below VT |
43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
| Wilder and Richmond 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% |
22.7%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5 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+ | 27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
10.8%±3.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Richmond 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% |
32.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
59.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9 VT: 7% |
14.4%±2.1 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $75,143±$9k 7% below VT |
$55,346±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
| Richmond and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,200±$18k 14% below VT |
$169,400±$62kLowest 46% below VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$432,200±$39kHighest 37% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451Highest 7% below VT |
$948±$45 23% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
— |
| Wilder and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,505 9% above VT |
$3,310Lowest 34% below VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
51.6%±20.8 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.3% VT: 10.1% |
12.2% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9% VT: 73.2% |
58.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
72.8% VT: 73.2% |
78.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 17 minLowest 29% below VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
18 min 24% below VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
8.8%±4.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Richmond and Putney 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 | — | #57 of 70 in VT | #32 of 70 in VT | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.