Compare towns

Wilder vs Worcester vs Westford

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 most people working from home (23.6%).
Westford has the most expensive homes ($425k 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.

MeasureWilderWorcesterWestford
People
Population
3,087Highest
831Lowest
2,290
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+81.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.5±8.9
6% above VT
47±2.7Highest
9% above VT
44.1±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%
16.9%±4.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Westford and Worcester 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%
19.5%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
17.2%±3.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
60.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
53%
VT: 43.8%
52.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
8.1%±3.9
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Lowest
VT: 7%
9.5%±4.6Highest
VT: 7%
Westford and Wilder 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
$112,750±$12kHighest
39% above VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,200±$18k
14% below VT
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$424,500±$21kHighest
34% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,142±$451
7% below VT
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
$2,375±$1kHighest
92% above VT
Westford 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
$6,282Highest
25% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
39.9%±17.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
29.8%±31
VT: 48.4%
Wilder and Westford 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%
VT: 10.1%
2.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
62.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
86.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 minLowest
29% below VT
29 min
22% above VT
33 minHighest
42% above VT
Work from home
12.6%±6.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
19.1%±6.9
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Westford 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 Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 6 photos → None yet 6 photos →

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.