Compare towns

Windham vs Reading vs Barnard

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has the most affordable homes ($354k median).
Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
Barnard has the most kids (26.9% 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.

MeasureWindhamReadingBarnard
People
Population
594Lowest
699
1,211Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+3.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.2±7.4
about the VT average
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
42.4±6Lowest
about the VT average
Reading and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±7.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
26.9%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
Barnard and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.2%±8.1
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
22%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Reading and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.1%
VT: 43.8%
46%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
55.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.8
VT: 7%
Reading and Barnard 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
16% above VT
$85,000±$19kLowest
5% above VT
$97,581±$19kHighest
20% above VT
Barnard 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±$20kLowest
12% above VT
$377,200±$72k
19% above VT
$402,600±$71kHighest
27% above VT
Barnard and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,100±$331Lowest
11% below VT
$1,372±$80Highest
11% above VT
Barnard and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951
18% above VT
$5,754Lowest
14% above VT
$6,038Highest
20% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
27%±19.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading 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
VT: 10.1%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
2.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
85.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
14% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
29 min
21% above VT
Work from home
20.5%±5.6
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
19.3%±10.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
High school 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.