Compare towns

Williston vs Sharon vs Randolph

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%).
Sharon has the most homeowners (79.7%).
Randolph has the most affordable homes ($235k 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.

MeasureWillistonSharonRandolph
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,577Lowest
2,007
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+3.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
45.6±7.7
6% above VT
50.5±7.7Highest
17% above VT
Randolph and Sharon 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%
21%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
11%±5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Sharon and Williston 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%
25.1%±3.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
24.2%±4.9
VT: 21.4%
Sharon and Randolph 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%
37.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
42.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
1.5%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
7.3%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Randolph and Williston 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
$84,375±$17k
4% above VT
$75,069±$11kLowest
8% below VT
Williston and Sharon 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
$346,700±$37k
10% above VT
$235,400±$25kLowest
26% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,386±$155
12% above VT
$1,095±$198Lowest
11% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592
11% above VT
$5,903Highest
17% above VT
$4,507Lowest
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
19.8%±17.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
54.3%±20.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
Randolph and Williston 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%
3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
14.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%
VT: 73.2%
79.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
53.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1942Lowest
34 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
16% below VT
26 minHighest
12% above VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.7%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.7%±7.6
VT: 16.9%
Williston and Randolph 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 — #55 of 70 in VT
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Sharon School District —
High school in town None in town None in town —
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.