Compare towns

Williston vs Gorham vs Gray

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Gorham has the youngest population (median age 39.4).
Gray has the most affordable homes ($364k 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.

MeasureWillistonGorhamGray
People
Population
10,144
18,300Highest
8,429Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+11.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
+6.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.4±4.5Highest
17% above U.S.
39.4±2.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
43.4±4.5
12% above U.S.
Williston and Gray are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2
U.S.: 22%
20.9%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
19%±4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Gorham and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.3%±4
U.S.: 17.2%
Williston and Gray 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
U.S.: 35.7%
44.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
U.S.: 6.4%
13.1%±1.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.4%±2.2Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,967±$12k
32% above U.S.
$112,312±$6kHighest
39% above U.S.
$95,236±$8kLowest
18% above U.S.
Gorham 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
43% above U.S.
$460,900±$26k
39% above U.S.
$363,700±$20kLowest
9% above U.S.
Williston and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
30% above U.S.
$1,680±$355
19% above U.S.
$1,371±$89Lowest
about the U.S. average
Williston and Gorham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Highest
79% above U.S.
$4,825
55% above U.S.
$3,683Lowest
18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
U.S.: 51.1%
37.9%±8.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
56.4%±24Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Gray and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.5%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
81.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
82.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1983Lowest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
25% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
29 minHighest
8% above U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
19%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
12.3%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Williston and Gorham 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 #24 of 133 in ME #10 of 133 in ME
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Gorham Public Schools RSU 15/MSAD 15 · Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences
High school in town None in town Gorham High School Gray-New Gloucester High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.9Highest
12.5Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.