Compare towns

Williston vs Strafford vs New Haven

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%).
Strafford has the most homeowners (88.9%).
New Haven has the most affordable homes ($379k 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.

MeasureWillistonStraffordNew Haven
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,372Lowest
1,792
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
48±3.9
11% above VT
Strafford and New Haven 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%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±4.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford 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%
22.1%±3.4
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±2.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
New Haven and Strafford 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%
53.3%
VT: 43.8%
31.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7Highest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
0.9%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Williston and Strafford 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
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$92,321±$17kLowest
14% above VT
Strafford 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
$431,300±$40k
36% above VT
$379,300±$19kLowest
20% above VT
Williston and Strafford 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
$1,125±$789Lowest
9% below VT
$1,163±$143
6% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Lowest
11% above VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$5,967
18% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
20.1%±6.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Strafford 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%
5.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.2%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
23 minHighest
about the VT average
22 min
7% below VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.8%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
Williston and New Haven 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 — —
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Strafford School District Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61
High school in town None 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.