Compare towns

Williston vs Ferrisburgh vs South Burlington

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%).
Ferrisburgh has the most homeowners (85.3%).
South Burlington has the most renters (38.4% rent).

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.

MeasureWillistonFerrisburghSouth Burlington
People
Population
10,144
2,661Lowest
20,756Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+13.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
45.5±4.9Highest
6% above VT
38.2±1.8Lowest
11% below VT
Ferrisburgh 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%
17.2%±4.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
19%±2.3
VT: 17.9%
Williston and South Burlington 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%
23.3%±3.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
17.8%±2.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ferrisburgh 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%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
67.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
3%±2.8Lowest
VT: 7%
6.5%±2Highest
VT: 7%
South Burlington and Williston 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
$106,989±$22kHighest
32% above VT
$106,667±$13kLowest
31% above VT
Ferrisburgh 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
$422,700±$35kLowest
34% above VT
$443,400±$19k
40% above VT
Williston and South Burlington 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
$1,435±$173Lowest
16% above VT
$1,787±$59
45% above VT
Williston and South Burlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Lowest
11% above VT
$6,120
21% above VT
$6,674Highest
32% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
57%±19.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
42.9%±7.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ferrisburgh 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%
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
7.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%
VT: 73.2%
85.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
61.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
16% below VT
28 minHighest
21% above VT
18 minLowest
25% below VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.6%±4.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
19.6%±3.3
VT: 16.9%
Williston and South Burlington 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 #7 of 70 in VT #12 of 70 in VT
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 South Burlington School District
High school in town None in town None in town South Burlington High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.0
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.