Compare towns

Williston vs Dummerston vs Jay 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%).
Dummerston has the most kids (21.7% under 18).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
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.

MeasureWillistonDummerstonJayRichmond
People
Population
10,144Highest
2,090
471Lowest
4,159
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%
VT: +2.8%
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
43.7±5.6Lowest
about the VT average
Jay and Dummerston 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%
21.7%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.5%±5
VT: 17.9%
Dummerston and Richmond 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%
24.3%±3Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±6.3
VT: 21.4%
Dummerston 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%
58.7%
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
59.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5
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±$12k
32% above VT
$101,696±$21k
25% above VT
$74,792±$25kLowest
8% below VT
$108,235±$24kHighest
33% above VT
Richmond 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
$335,300±$22k
6% above VT
$234,200±$45kLowest
26% below VT
$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
$1,392±$126Lowest
13% above VT
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
11% above VT
$4,536
10% below VT
$3,588Lowest
29% below VT
$6,868Highest
36% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2
VT: 48.4%
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
28.5%±15.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Dummerston 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%
4.5%
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
92.9%
VT: 73.2%
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.8%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993
17 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1983
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
21 min
11% below VT
40 minHighest
69% above VT
25 min
6% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±6.1
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Dummerston 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 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401
High school in town None in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.