Compare towns
Williston vs Sheldon vs Bakersfield 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%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Bakersfield has the most homeowners (94%).
Richmond has the highest household income ($108k).
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 | Sheldon | Bakersfield | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144Highest |
2,267 |
1,109Lowest |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
46.4±8Highest 8% above VT |
43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
| Bakersfield 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% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Richmond 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% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bakersfield and Williston 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% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
39.2% VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7 VT: 7% |
| Bakersfield 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±$12k 32% above VT |
$78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
$83,462±$18k 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 |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$271,300±$19kLowest 14% 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 |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,200±$327Lowest about the VT average |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 11% above VT |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$3,823 24% below VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
18.8%±100 VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Williston and Richmond 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% |
5.1% VT: 10.1% |
7.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
94%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1982Lowest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 16% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.2%±7 VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Richmond 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 | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | None 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.