Compare towns

Williamstown vs West Windsor vs Northfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williamstown has the shortest commute (23 min average).
West Windsor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+22.3%).
Northfield has the most renters (26.5% rent).

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.

MeasureWilliamstownWest WindsorNorthfield
People
Population
3,579
1,171Lowest
5,920Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.7%
VT: +2.8%
+22.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42±5
about the VT average
54±5.9Highest
25% above VT
36.4±4.1Lowest
16% below VT
Kids under 18
19.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
19.8%±10
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Williamstown and West Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
25.5%±6.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
20%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
West Windsor and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
59.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.6%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.8%±3.2Lowest
VT: 7%
6.1%±3.6
VT: 7%
15.1%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,418±$10k
16% above VT
$108,750±$18kHighest
34% above VT
$71,768±$13kLowest
12% below VT
West Windsor and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$234,900±$24kLowest
26% below VT
$393,500±$41kHighest
24% above VT
$274,400±$21k
13% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
$1,100±$217
11% below VT
$1,018±$207Lowest
18% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,841Lowest
24% below VT
$5,860Highest
16% above VT
$4,878
3% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±17.7
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
3.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
73.5%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1956Lowest
20 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
28 minHighest
20% above VT
27 min
16% above VT
Work from home
13.9%±6.6
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±3.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
West Windsor and Williamstown 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 #47 of 70 in VT — #42 of 70 in VT
School district Paine Mountain Union School District #68 Mount Ascutney School District #86 Paine Mountain Union School District #68
High school in town Williamstown Middle/High School None in town Northfield Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.5Lowest
—
10.0Highest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.