Compare towns

Wilder vs Williston vs Barnard

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%).
Williston has the most expensive homes ($476k median).
Barnard has the most kids (26.9% under 18).

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.

MeasureWilderWillistonBarnard
People
Population
3,087
10,144Highest
1,211Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+81.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+16.2%
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.5±8.9Highest
6% above VT
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
42.4±6Lowest
about the VT average
Wilder and Williston 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%
20.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
26.9%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
Barnard and Williston 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%
21%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22%±3.6
VT: 21.4%
Wilder and Barnard 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%
54.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
55.3%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.1%±3.9Highest
VT: 7%
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
Wilder and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$75,143±$9kLowest
7% below VT
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above VT
$97,581±$19k
20% above VT
Williston and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,200±$18kLowest
14% below VT
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$402,600±$71k
27% above VT
Williston and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,142±$451Lowest
7% below VT
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,372±$80
11% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,505Lowest
9% above VT
$5,592
11% above VT
$6,038Highest
20% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
39.9%±17.2
VT: 48.4%
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
27%±19.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
2.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
75.1%
VT: 73.2%
85.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983
7 yrs newer than VT
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 minLowest
29% below VT
20 min
16% below VT
29 minHighest
21% above VT
Work from home
12.6%±6.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
19.3%±10.8
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Barnard 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 — #11 of 70 in VT —
School district — Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
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.