Compare towns

Windham vs Madison 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

Madison has the shortest commute (22 min average).
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.

MeasureWindhamMadisonWorcesterWestminster
People
Population
594
2,680Highest
831
497Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+2.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
44.2±7.4
14% above U.S.
50.3±9.7Highest
29% above U.S.
47±2.7
21% above U.S.
43.3±11.5Lowest
11% above U.S.
Madison and Worcester 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%
23.1%±6.7
U.S.: 22%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
28.4%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Westminster and Madison 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%
23.1%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±11.4
U.S.: 17.2%
Windham and Madison 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%
37.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
53%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.1
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.
$102,697±$11kHighest
27% above U.S.
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below U.S.
$81,000±$22k
about the U.S. average
Madison 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.
$388,700±$36kHighest
17% above U.S.
$271,100±$27kLowest
19% below U.S.
$313,600±$39k
6% below U.S.
Madison and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,556±$256Highest
10% above U.S.
$1,023±$136
28% below U.S.
$749±$315Lowest
47% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951Highest
91% above U.S.
$4,074Lowest
31% above U.S.
$4,421
42% above U.S.
$4,480
44% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94
U.S.: 51.1%
69.2%±46Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.5%±37
U.S.: 51.1%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Madison and Windham 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%
4.7%
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%
94.4%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.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
22 minLowest
16% below U.S.
29 min
9% above U.S.
30 minHighest
13% above U.S.
Work from home
20.5%±5.6
U.S.: 15.1%
8%±4.4Lowest
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 — — — #53 of 70 in VT
School district — Madison School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town — None 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.