Compare towns

Williston vs Cornwall vs Reading

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%).
Cornwall has the most homeowners (94.3%).
Reading has the most affordable homes ($377k 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.

MeasureWillistonCornwallReading
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,208
699Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+1.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
50.4±4.6
17% above VT
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
Reading and Cornwall 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%
18.7%±3
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Cornwall 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%
25.7%±6.1
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
Reading and Cornwall 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
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
46%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.7%±3.1
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
Williston and Cornwall 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 VT
$114,583±$32kHighest
41% above VT
$85,000±$19kLowest
5% above VT
Cornwall and Williston 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
$458,000±$49k
45% above VT
$377,200±$72kLowest
19% above VT
Williston and Cornwall 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
$1,125±$206
9% below VT
$1,100±$331Lowest
11% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Lowest
11% above VT
$6,726Highest
33% above VT
$5,754
14% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
61.9%±65.5
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Cornwall 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%
0.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1976
same as VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
24 min
about the VT average
33 minHighest
41% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±6.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6
VT: 16.9%
Cornwall and Reading 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 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
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

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.