Compare towns

Williston vs Bolton vs Richmond

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%).
Bolton has the most affordable homes ($312k median).
Richmond has the most kids (21.5% under 18).

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.

MeasureWillistonBoltonRichmond
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,163Lowest
4,159
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+10.1%
VT: +2.8%
+2.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Highest
5% above VT
36.3±1.7Lowest
16% below VT
43.7±5.6
about the VT average
Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
14.9%±4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.5%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Richmond and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
6.7%±2.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±6.3
VT: 21.4%
Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
58.4%
VT: 43.8%
59.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.7%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±1.7
VT: 7%
Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,967±$12kLowest
32% above VT
$111,125±$17kHighest
37% above VT
$108,235±$24k
33% above VT
Bolton 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
50% above VT
$311,600±$42kLowest
about the VT average
$432,200±$39k
37% above VT
Williston and Richmond 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
$1,299±$273Lowest
5% above VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
11% above VT
$4,826Lowest
4% below VT
$6,868Highest
36% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
28%±30.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
28.5%±15.8
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
4.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.8%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
1983Lowest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
25 min
6% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±8.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±6.1
VT: 16.9%
Bolton and Richmond 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 — #5 of 70 in VT
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401
High school in town None 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.