Compare towns

Worcester vs Gilsum vs Stowe

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
Gilsum has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).

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.

MeasureWorcesterGilsumStowe
People
Population
831
716Lowest
5,285Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+21.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47±2.7Highest
21% above U.S.
44.8±8.1Lowest
15% above U.S.
46.3±7.6
19% above U.S.
Worcester and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9
U.S.: 22%
12%±3.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
22.5%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5
U.S.: 17.2%
19.3%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
25.8%±6.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Stowe and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
U.S.: 35.7%
18.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
66.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.1%±2.3
U.S.: 6.4%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Worcester and Gilsum 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 U.S.
$80,417±$7k
about the U.S. average
$93,618±$33kHighest
16% above U.S.
Stowe and Gilsum are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27k
19% below U.S.
$241,500±$32kLowest
27% below U.S.
$647,800±$157kHighest
95% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Lowest
28% below U.S.
$1,575±$894Highest
11% above U.S.
$1,458±$242
3% above U.S.
Gilsum and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Lowest
42% above U.S.
$5,579
79% above U.S.
$7,161Highest
130% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
U.S.: 51.1%
76.5%±55.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
24.5%±15.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Gilsum and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
13.4%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
9.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
93.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1982Highest
2 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
9% above U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
19 minLowest
27% below U.S.
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
U.S.: 15.1%
11.9%±8.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
24.4%±8.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Stowe and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Monadnock Regional School District Stowe Town School District
High school in town None in town None in town Stowe High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.