Compare towns
Wilmington vs Castleton vs Dover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wilmington has the oldest population (median age 59.1).
Castleton has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
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 | Wilmington | Castleton | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,747 |
4,453Highest |
1,466Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +20.2% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 59.1±4.8Highest 37% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
53.5±8.3 24% above VT |
| Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 9.6%±4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Castleton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 32.6%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.8% VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.7%±2.2Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $70,000±$23k 14% below VT |
$73,854±$23kHighest 9% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
| Castleton and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $287,700±$16k 9% below VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$332,900±$55kHighest 5% above VT |
| Dover and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,106±$95 10% below VT |
$1,137±$195Highest 8% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
| Castleton and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,299Highest 5% above VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,510 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±23 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
81.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 9% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
22 minHighest 6% below VT |
| Work from home | 10.8%±6 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dover and Wilmington 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Twin Valley Unified School District #75 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.