Compare towns
Wilder 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
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
Calais has the most kids (22.5% 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.
| Measure | Wilder | Worcester | Calais |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,087Highest |
831Lowest |
1,713 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9 6% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
42±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Worcester and Wilder 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% |
12.8%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Calais 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% |
53%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9Highest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Lowest VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4 VT: 7% |
| Wilder and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,143±$9k 7% below VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$100,625±$27kHighest 24% above VT |
| Calais and Wilder 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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451 7% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
| Calais and Wilder 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 |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Calais 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% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 17 minLowest 29% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7Lowest 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 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.