Compare towns

Williston vs Townshend vs Worcester

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%).
Townshend has the most people working from home (28%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasureWillistonTownshendWorcester
People
Population
10,144Highest
1,538
831Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
55.6±9.6Highest
29% above VT
47±2.7
9% above VT
Townshend and Worcester 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%
12%±2.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21%±3.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.3%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
Williston and Worcester 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%
52.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
1.4%±0.8Lowest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
Worcester 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
$78,750±$29k
3% below VT
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
Williston and Townshend 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
$287,200±$79k
9% below VT
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,074±$80
13% below VT
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Highest
11% above VT
$5,364
6% above VT
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4
VT: 48.4%
72.5%±23.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Townshend and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
82.6%
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
25 min
6% above VT
29 minHighest
22% above VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28%±18.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
Townshend and Worcester 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 West River Valley Union Education District #72B · West River Valley Union Education District #72A Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.1
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.