Compare towns
Williston vs Reading vs Jericho 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%).
Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
Jericho has the most homeowners (92.9%).
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.
| Measure | Williston | Reading | Jericho | Hartford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144 |
699Lowest |
5,114 |
10,736Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.2% VT: +2.8% |
+1.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+7.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
51.1±7.6Highest 19% above VT |
49.7±5.1 15% above VT |
43.2±3.9Lowest about the VT average |
| Reading and Jericho 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% |
18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
19.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
18%±3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Williston and Jericho 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% |
20.2%±4.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.5%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Reading 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% VT: 43.8% |
46%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
65.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
47.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7Highest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.6Lowest 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±$12k 32% above VT |
$85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$116,923±$16kHighest 44% above VT |
$78,125±$7kLowest 4% below VT |
| Jericho 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±$40k 50% above VT |
$377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$493,100±$38kHighest 56% above VT |
$304,500±$26kLowest 4% below VT |
| Jericho and Williston 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 |
$1,731±$111 40% above VT |
$1,218±$118 about the VT average |
| Williston and Jericho are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592Lowest 11% above VT |
$5,754 14% above VT |
$7,318Highest 45% above VT |
$5,773 15% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
79.3%±52.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±12.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Jericho and Reading 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% VT: 10.1% |
0.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1% VT: 73.2% |
84.9% VT: 73.2% |
92.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
67.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 16% below VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
26 min 10% above VT |
18 minLowest 22% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
21.8%±6.4 VT: 16.9% |
13.9%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Reading 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 | — | #6 of 70 in VT | #34 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 | Hartford School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Mt. Mansfield Union High School | Hartford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 13.0Highest |
9.6Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.