Compare towns

Williston vs Castleton vs Wheelock

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%).
Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
Wheelock has the most homeowners (97.9%).

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.

MeasureWillistonCastletonWheelock
People
Population
10,144Highest
4,453
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-5.5%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
38.3±4.3Lowest
11% below VT
51±5.6Highest
18% above VT
Wheelock and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±6.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
20.7%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
37.9%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
19.3%±1.8Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above VT
$73,854±$23k
9% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Williston and Castleton 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
$224,800±$71k
29% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,137±$195Lowest
8% below VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Highest
11% above VT
$3,167
37% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
67.7%±21.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Castleton 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
VT: 10.1%
12.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
79%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1974Lowest
2 yrs older than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
16% below VT
19 minLowest
17% below VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Wheelock 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 #39 of 70 in VT —
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
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.