Compare towns

Williston vs Appleton vs Mapleton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Appleton has the oldest population (median age 49.2).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k 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.

MeasureWillistonAppletonMapleton
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,360Lowest
1,884
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+7.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.4±4.5
17% above U.S.
49.2±7.4Highest
26% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% above U.S.
Appleton and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±2.7Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
26.1%±9.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Appleton and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
34.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.7%±2.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Williston and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above U.S.
$53,618±$19kLowest
34% below U.S.
$91,731±$25k
14% above U.S.
Williston and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$475,800±$40kHighest
43% above U.S.
$235,600±$33k
29% below U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
30% above U.S.
$1,104±$82
22% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Highest
79% above U.S.
$3,588
15% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
U.S.: 51.1%
85.4%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Appleton and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
9.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
82.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
25% below U.S.
30 minHighest
14% above U.S.
28 min
5% above U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
11.1%±3.5
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #11 of 70 in VT — —
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Appleton Public Schools RSU 79/MSAD 01
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.