Compare towns

Worcester vs Calais vs Westminster

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Calais has the most expensive homes ($390k 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.

MeasureWorcesterCalaisWestminster
People
Population
831
1,713Highest
497Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
47±2.7Highest
9% above VT
42±8.6Lowest
about the VT average
43.3±11.5
about the VT average
Worcester and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±5.4
VT: 17.9%
28.4%±7.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Westminster and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.7%±11.4
VT: 21.4%
Calais and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
VT: 43.8%
55.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
45.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
7.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.2%±3.5Lowest
VT: 7%
Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$100,625±$27kHighest
24% above VT
$81,000±$22k
about the VT average
Calais and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$390,300±$36kHighest
23% above VT
$313,600±$39k
about the VT average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$1,408±$392Highest
14% above VT
$749±$315Lowest
39% below VT
Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
$6,586Highest
31% above VT
$4,480
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
49%±38.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
8.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
92.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
same as VT
1976Highest
same as VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
22% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
30 min
26% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.4%±7.1
VT: 16.9%
23.1%±15.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Calais 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 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.