Compare towns

Williston vs Jackson vs Albany

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 the most kids (20.5% under 18).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Albany has the most affordable homes ($248k 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.

MeasureWillistonJacksonAlbany
People
Population
10,144Highest
897
790Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
+26%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
17% above U.S.
60.5±2.5Highest
56% above U.S.
46.5±9.7
20% above U.S.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
4.1%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
11.3%±3.3
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
21%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
28.4%±6.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.8%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jackson 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%
U.S.: 35.7%
67.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±4
U.S.: 6.4%
Williston and Albany 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 U.S.
$117,986±$46kHighest
46% above U.S.
$67,639±$19kLowest
16% below U.S.
Jackson 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±$40k
43% above U.S.
$719,300±$109kHighest
116% above U.S.
$248,300±$68kLowest
25% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
30% above U.S.
$1,750±$1k
24% above U.S.
$1,194±$112Lowest
15% below U.S.
Williston and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
79% above U.S.
$6,001Highest
92% above U.S.
$2,554Lowest
18% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
21.1%±59.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
44.2%±97.7
U.S.: 51.1%
Williston and Albany are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
16.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
14.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
69.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
1980
same as U.S.
1976Lowest
4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
25% below U.S.
19 minLowest
30% below U.S.
22 minHighest
16% below U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.2%±10.2
U.S.: 15.1%
16.2%±18.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Williston and Jackson 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 Jackson School District —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.