Compare towns
Williston vs Norwich vs Hanover 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%).
Norwich has the most kids (24% under 18).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 21.8).
Richmond has the most affordable homes ($432k median).
Hanover is a college town. 49.8% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Norwich | Hanover | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144Highest |
3,640Lowest |
8,479 |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5Highest 17% above U.S. |
40.8±3.2 5% above U.S. |
21.8±0.3Lowest 44% below U.S. |
43.7±5.6 12% above U.S. |
| Williston and Richmond 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% |
24%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
9.8%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.5%±5 U.S.: 22% |
| Norwich and Richmond 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% |
16%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.6%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.5%±6.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Williston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81% U.S.: 35.7% |
89.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
59.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
49.8%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,967±$12kLowest 32% above U.S. |
$140,313±$12k 74% above U.S. |
$153,281±$26kHighest 90% above U.S. |
$108,235±$24k 34% above U.S. |
| Hanover and Norwich 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. |
$637,500±$76k 92% above U.S. |
$842,600±$97kHighest 153% above U.S. |
$432,200±$39kLowest 30% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,832±$130 30% above U.S. |
$1,460±$322Lowest 3% above U.S. |
$2,254±$249Highest 60% above U.S. |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592Lowest 79% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$6,868 120% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
30.7%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
72%±17.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Hanover and Williston 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% |
2.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
62.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.8%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1983 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 25% below U.S. |
19 min 28% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
25 minHighest 6% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.7%±6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.5%±6.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hanover and Richmond 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 | #1 of 70 in VT | #1 of 120 in NH | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Norwich 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 Our Story | None yet | 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.