Compare towns
Williston vs Barnet vs Exeter vs Richmond
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%).
Barnet has the most affordable homes ($248k median).
Exeter has the most renters (30.9% rent).
Richmond has the youngest population (median age 43.7).
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 | Williston | Barnet | Exeter | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144 |
1,855Lowest |
16,151Highest |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 17% above U.S. |
47.7±5.3Highest 23% above U.S. |
45.8±2.3 18% above U.S. |
43.7±5.6Lowest 12% above U.S. |
| Barnet and Exeter 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% |
21.6%±4.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
17%±2.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.5%±5 U.S.: 22% |
| Barnet and Richmond 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% |
28.8%±3.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±2.8 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Barnet and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
35.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
59.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
59.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
6.1%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Exeter and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,967±$12k 32% above U.S. |
$67,386±$15kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$110,346±$13kHighest 37% above U.S. |
$108,235±$24k 34% above U.S. |
| Exeter and Richmond 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. |
$247,900±$24kLowest 25% below U.S. |
$456,600±$21k 37% above U.S. |
$432,200±$39k 30% above U.S. |
| Williston and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,832±$130 30% above U.S. |
$974±$72Lowest 31% below U.S. |
$1,856±$223Highest 31% above U.S. |
— |
| Exeter and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 79% above U.S. |
$4,489Lowest 44% above U.S. |
$8,814Highest 183% above U.S. |
$6,868 120% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
59.3%±29.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
59%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Barnet and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
69.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
25 min 6% below U.S. |
25 min 6% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.3%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.9%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.5%±6.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Richmond and Williston 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 | — | #22 of 120 in NH | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 | Exeter Region Cooperative School District · Exeter School District | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Exeter High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.1 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 59 photos → | 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.