Compare towns
Williston vs Elmore vs Plainfield 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%).
Elmore has the most homeowners (92.8%).
Plainfield has the oldest population (median age 48.1).
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 | Elmore | Plainfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144Highest |
964Lowest |
1,314 |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.6% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
45±3.5 4% above VT |
48.1±5.5Highest 12% above VT |
43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Plainfield and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
23.4%±9.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Elmore 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% |
14.6%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Plainfield 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% |
47.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.2% 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% |
2.1%±1.3 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 |
$98,750±$24k 22% above VT |
$69,250±$31kLowest 15% 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 |
$315,800±$47kLowest about the VT average |
$318,400±$34k 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 |
$1,225±$263 about the VT average |
$1,153±$103Lowest 7% below VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 11% above VT |
$5,066 about the VT average |
$4,806Lowest 5% below VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
31.8%±65.8 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Williston 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% |
3.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 16% below VT |
29 minHighest 25% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| 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 | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District #90 | — | 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 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.