Compare towns

Windham vs Hanson vs Worcester vs Westminster

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has the shortest commute (27 min average).
Hanson has the most expensive homes ($513k median).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% 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.

MeasureWindhamHansonWorcesterWestminster
People
Population
594
1,927Highest
831
497Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-4.2%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
44.2±7.4
14% above U.S.
44±4.3
13% above U.S.
47±2.7Highest
21% above U.S.
43.3±11.5Lowest
11% above U.S.
Worcester and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±7.9
U.S.: 22%
25%±5.3
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
28.4%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Westminster and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.2%±8.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±4.5
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±11.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Windham and Hanson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
35.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
0.5%±1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.9%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±3.5
U.S.: 6.4%
Worcester and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,500±$12k
17% above U.S.
$119,211±$24kHighest
48% above U.S.
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below U.S.
$81,000±$22k
about the U.S. average
Hanson and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$353,900±$20k
6% above U.S.
$513,000±$55kHighest
54% above U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
$313,600±$39k
6% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly — —
$1,023±$136Highest
28% below U.S.
$749±$315Lowest
47% below U.S.
Worcester and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951
91% above U.S.
$6,429Highest
106% above U.S.
$4,421Lowest
42% above U.S.
$4,480
44% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
—
25.5%±37
U.S.: 51.1%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Windham and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
100%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1967
13 yrs older than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
37 minHighest
39% above U.S.
29 min
9% above U.S.
30 min
13% above U.S.
Work from home
20.5%±5.6
U.S.: 15.1%
11.2%±5.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.6%±4.8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.1%±15.9
U.S.: 15.1%
Worcester and Westminster 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 — #149 of 282 in MA — #53 of 70 in VT
School district — — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town — — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.