Compare towns
Williston vs Monroe vs Essex
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%).
Monroe has the most affordable homes ($313k median).
Essex has the most kids (22.4% 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.
| Measure | Williston | Monroe | Essex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 10,144 |
786Lowest |
11,516Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 17% above U.S. |
51±10.4Highest 31% above U.S. |
42.4±1.9Lowest 9% above U.S. |
| Monroe and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
20.9%±7.6 U.S.: 22% |
22.4%±3.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Essex and Monroe 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% |
30.3%±8.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.9%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Monroe 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% |
25.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
57.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.1%±1.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Williston and Essex 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. |
$88,150±$7kLowest 9% above U.S. |
$110,199±$14kHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Essex 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. |
$312,700±$58kLowest 6% below U.S. |
$447,300±$14k 34% above U.S. |
| Williston and Essex 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. |
$1,104±$218Lowest 22% below U.S. |
$1,569±$138 11% above U.S. |
| Williston and Essex 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. |
$2,661Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$6,602Highest 112% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
48%±39Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.9%±13.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Monroe and Williston 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% |
5.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1990 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
27 minHighest 4% above U.S. |
22 min 17% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
3.2%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Williston and Essex 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 | — | #13 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Monroe School District | Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51 |
| 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.