Compare towns
Williston vs Reading vs Brookline vs Richmond
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%).
Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
Brookline has the most affordable homes ($291k 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.
| Measure | Williston | Reading | Brookline | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144Highest |
699 |
531Lowest |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.2% VT: +2.8% |
+1.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
51.1±7.6Highest 19% above VT |
45.1±2.7 5% above VT |
43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Reading 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 VT: 17.9% |
18.5%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20%±6 VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| 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 VT: 21.4% |
28.2%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.6%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.9% VT: 43.8% |
46% VT: 43.8% |
41.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7Highest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
3.2%±1.6 VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Williston and Brookline 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 VT |
$85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$80,833±$16kLowest about the VT average |
$108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
| 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 50% above VT |
$377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$290,700±$37kLowest 8% below VT |
$432,200±$39k 37% above VT |
| 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 48% above VT |
$1,100±$331Lowest 11% below VT |
$1,732±$232 40% above VT |
— |
| Williston and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 11% above VT |
$5,754 14% above VT |
$5,000Lowest about the VT average |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
47.8%±94.7 VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Reading and Brookline 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% |
8.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
6.2% VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
84.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 16% below VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
20.6%±5.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Reading 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 | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | — | 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 | 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.