Compare towns

Williston vs Plymouth vs Hartford

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Plymouth has the oldest population (median age 52.2).
Hartford has the most affordable homes ($305k 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.

MeasureWillistonPlymouthHartford
People
Population
10,144
533Lowest
10,736Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+3.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+7.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5
5% above VT
52.2±9.6Highest
21% above VT
43.2±3.9Lowest
about the VT average
Plymouth and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.5%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.7%±6.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18%±3
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
32.6%±10.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.5%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
Plymouth and Hartford 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
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
47.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.6%±2.9Lowest
VT: 7%
4.9%±1.7
VT: 7%
Williston and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,967±$12kHighest
32% above VT
$87,614±$8k
8% above VT
$78,125±$7kLowest
4% below VT
Williston and Plymouth are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$475,800±$40kHighest
50% above VT
$337,900±$21k
7% above VT
$304,500±$26kLowest
4% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,299±$171
5% above VT
$1,218±$118Lowest
about the VT average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
11% above VT
$5,585Lowest
11% above VT
$5,773Highest
15% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
31.4%±53Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±12.7
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%
VT: 10.1%
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
11.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%
VT: 73.2%
78%Highest
VT: 73.2%
67.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
16% below VT
23 minHighest
4% below VT
18 minLowest
22% below VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
16%±5.9
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Plymouth 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 — #34 of 70 in VT
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 — Hartford School District
High school in town None in town — Hartford High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.6
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.