Compare towns
Williston vs Worcester vs Putney 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%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Richmond has the most kids (21.5% under 18).
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 | Worcester | Putney | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144Highest |
831Lowest |
2,622 |
4,159 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 5% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
43.7±5.6 about the VT average |
| Worcester 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Williston 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% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 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% VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
48.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,967±$12k 32% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$79,706±$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 |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% 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 |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 11% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Putney 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% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 16% below VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Richmond 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | 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 Our Story | 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.