Compare towns

Williston vs Jay vs Richmond

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%).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($197k median).
Richmond has the most kids (21.5% under 18).

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.

MeasureWillistonJayRichmond
People
Population
10,144Highest
2,354Lowest
4,159
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.4±4.5
17% above U.S.
48.8±4.6Highest
25% above U.S.
43.7±5.6Lowest
12% above U.S.
Jay 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
U.S.: 22%
16%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.5%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
Richmond and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
25.3%±4.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jay 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%
31.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
59.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.7%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.7
U.S.: 6.4%
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 U.S.
$72,380±$19kLowest
10% below U.S.
$108,235±$24kHighest
34% above U.S.
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
43% above U.S.
$196,900±$22kLowest
41% below U.S.
$432,200±$39k
30% above U.S.
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
30% above U.S.
$1,272±$366Lowest
10% below U.S.
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
79% above U.S.
$3,741Lowest
20% above U.S.
$6,868Highest
120% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
27.4%±21.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
28.5%±15.8
U.S.: 51.1%
Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
6.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
4.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
88.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
13 yrs newer than U.S.
1977Lowest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1983
3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
25% below U.S.
28 minHighest
8% above U.S.
25 min
6% below U.S.
Work from home
22.3%±7.6
U.S.: 15.1%
8.8%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.5%±6.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
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 AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 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

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.