Compare towns

Williston vs Barnard vs Cabot

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Barnard has the most homeowners (85.4%).
Cabot has the most affordable homes ($269k 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.

MeasureWillistonBarnardCabot
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,211Lowest
1,579
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%
VT: +2.8%
+0.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
42.4±6
about the VT average
40.3±6.6Lowest
6% below VT
Williston and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
26.9%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
27.2%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Cabot and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22%±3.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
21%±6.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Barnard 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%
VT: 43.8%
55.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
44.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.8
VT: 7%
2.2%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Williston and Barnard 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 VT
$97,581±$19k
20% above VT
$77,031±$16kLowest
5% below 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
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$402,600±$71k
27% above VT
$268,500±$77kLowest
15% below VT
Williston and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,372±$80
11% above VT
$1,243±$354Lowest
about the VT average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
11% above VT
$6,038Highest
20% above VT
$4,639Lowest
8% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
27%±19.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±26.7
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Cabot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
2.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
29 min
21% above VT
30 minHighest
27% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
19.3%±10.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.4%±4.2
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Cabot 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.