Compare towns

Worcester vs Westminster vs Stowe

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).
Westminster has the oldest population (median age 53.5).
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.

MeasureWorcesterWestminsterStowe
People
Population
831Lowest
2,999
5,285Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%
VT: +2.8%
-5.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+21.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
53.5±3.7Highest
24% above VT
46.3±7.6Lowest
7% above VT
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.2%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±4.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Stowe and Westminster 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%
27.6%±6.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
25.8%±6.2
VT: 21.4%
Westminster and Stowe 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%
46.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
66.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
4.4%±3.1
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
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
$73,833±$18k
9% below VT
$71,491±$4kLowest
12% below VT
$93,618±$33kHighest
15% above VT
Stowe 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±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$273,800±$35k
14% below VT
$647,800±$157kHighest
105% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$916±$126Lowest
26% below VT
$1,458±$242Highest
18% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421
12% below VT
$4,063Lowest
19% below VT
$7,161Highest
42% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
49.2%±7.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
24.5%±15.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Westminster 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%
8.8%
VT: 10.1%
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
88.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Lowest
same as VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
24 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
18% below VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
27%±6.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±8.9
VT: 16.9%
Westminster and Stowe 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 Bellows Falls Union High School District #27 · Westminster School District Stowe Town School District
High school in town None in town Bellows Falls Union High School Stowe High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
10.6Lowest
11.3Highest
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.