Compare towns

Worcester vs Newark vs Calais

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 oldest population (median age 47).
Newark has the most affordable homes ($230k median).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).

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.

MeasureWorcesterNewarkCalais
People
Population
831
727Lowest
1,713Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+0.5%
VT: +2.8%
+3.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7Highest
9% above VT
41.4±6Lowest
4% below VT
42±8.6
about the VT average
Worcester and Calais 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%±3
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Calais and Newark 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%
19.9%±5.1
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Calais and Newark 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%
41%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
55.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
0.6%±0.6Lowest
VT: 7%
7.4%±3.4Highest
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±$18k
9% below VT
$72,929±$7kLowest
10% below VT
$100,625±$27kHighest
24% above VT
Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27k
14% below VT
$229,900±$23kLowest
27% below VT
$390,300±$36kHighest
23% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
$1,708±$97Highest
38% above VT
$1,408±$392
14% above VT
Newark and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421
12% below VT
$3,771Lowest
25% below VT
$6,586Highest
31% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
7.1%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
49%±38.3Highest
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%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
22.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.8%
VT: 73.2%
92.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Lowest
same as VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minLowest
22% above VT
34 minHighest
44% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.8%±8.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.4%±7.1
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Calais 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 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None 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.