Compare towns

Williston vs Worcester vs Berlin

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%).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).

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.

MeasureWillistonWorcesterBerlin
People
Population
10,144Highest
831Lowest
2,880
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+16.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.4±4.5Lowest
5% above VT
47±2.7
9% above VT
50.6±2.4Highest
17% above VT
Berlin 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%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
16.6%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
Williston and Berlin 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%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
26.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
Berlin 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%Highest
VT: 43.8%
53%
VT: 43.8%
28.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.7%±2.7
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.9%±2.9Lowest
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
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$86,691±$21k
7% above VT
Williston and Berlin 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
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$273,600±$31k
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,832±$130Highest
48% above VT
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
$1,169±$171
5% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,592Highest
11% above VT
$4,421
12% below VT
$4,418Lowest
12% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
41%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
Williston and Berlin 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%
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
10.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
87.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1993Highest
17 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
16% below VT
29 minHighest
22% above VT
21 min
10% below VT
Work from home
22.3%±7.6
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.7%±3.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester 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 — #16 of 70 in VT
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
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.