VermontPop. 3,087Towns
Is Wilder a Good Place to Live? Wilder, Vermont: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Wilder ranks #673 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #112 of 234 towns and #16 of 20 in Vermont. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
Wilder by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Wilder's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Wilder: no police agency reports to the FBI for it alone. See Is Wilder safe?
What is the cost of living in Wilder?
Wilder's cost of living index is 96.4, 4% below the US level of 100 and #511 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,142/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $273,200.
| Measure | Wilder | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 96.4#511 of 1,308 | 98 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $273,200#455 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $1,142/mo#375 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 3.6x#435 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 18.2%#268 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Is Wilder safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Wilder alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Wilder crime rate or rank it on safety. Vermont as a whole records 214 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Wilder?
The median household in Wilder earns $75,143, 10% below the US figure of $83,163 and 9% below Vermont ($82,730). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Wilder | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $75,143#700 of 1,312 | $82,730 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 9.3%#442 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Wilder?
The median resident of Wilder is 45.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 60.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #125 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Wilder | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 45.5 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 60.2%#125 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 62.9% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Wilder's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Wilder to describe its public schools. 29.2% of adults are obese and 8.7% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Wilder | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 29.2%#350 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 8.7%#175 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 16.2%#457 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 6%#145 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Wilder?
The average commute in Wilder is 16.6 minutes (Vermont 23.9); 0% of workers take transit and 12.6% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Wilder scores 11.5 of 20 (above average walkable), #535 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 68°F and winters 23°F, with 38.1 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Wilder | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 16.6 min#119 of 1,312 | 23.9 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 0%#1 of 1,312 | 6.4% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 80.2% | 67.9% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0% | 1.4% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 2.3% | 5.3% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.5% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 12.6% | 16% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 11.5#535 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 30.3 | 9.3 | 2.3 |
| Feb | 33.9 | 11 | 2.1 |
| Mar | 43 | 20.7 | 2.7 |
| Apr | 56.6 | 31.9 | 3 |
| May | 69.7 | 43.7 | 3.3 |
| Jun | 77.9 | 52.4 | 3.8 |
| Jul | 82.7 | 57.8 | 4 |
| Aug | 81.1 | 56.2 | 3.6 |
| Sep | 72.9 | 48.6 | 3.4 |
| Oct | 59.8 | 37.4 | 4 |
| Nov | 46.8 | 27.7 | 3 |
| Dec | 35.5 | 18.1 | 2.8 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Lebanon Muni Airport.
| Measure | Wilder | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 46°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 68°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 23°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 38.1 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Lebanon Muni Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Wilder?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Wilder's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Windsor County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, ice storm, and hurricane, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 56% of US counties.
| Measure | Wilder | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.14%#612 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Windsor County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Windsor County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.11% | 78% of counties |
| Ice storm | 0.0014% | 68% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0049% | 66% of counties |
| Strong wind | 0.0016% | 44% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.002% | 42% of counties |
| Tornado | 0.0018% | 21% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Wilder compare with similar-size cities?
Wilder is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #112 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 3,087.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wilder, VTPop. 3,087 | #673 | 55.6 | $75,143 | $1,142/mo | no data | 16.6 min |
| Caribou, MEPop. 7,382 | #615 | 56.5 | $53,709 | $757/mo | 82 | 14.7 min |
| Elsmere, DEPop. 6,203 | #971 | 50.6 | $67,944 | $1,339/mo | 144 | 24.4 min |
| Lewistown, MTPop. 6,087 | #1094 | 48.0 | $48,750 | $1,007/mo | 639 | 12.7 min |
| Chena Ridge, AKPop. 5,881 | #186 | 64.9 | $133,775 | $1,110/mo | no data | 20.9 min |
| Buffalo, WYPop. 4,572 | #595 | 56.8 | $62,629 | $1,019/mo | 106 | 12.9 min |
| Dakota Dunes, SDPop. 3,936 | #93 | 68.7 | $136,125 | $1,225/mo | no data | 12.1 min |
| Narragansett Pier, RIPop. 3,167 | #782 | 53.6 | $82,192 | $1,649/mo | no data | 26.5 min |
| Beulah, NDPop. 3,040 | #399 | 60.1 | $76,848 | $1,075/mo | 131 | 14.7 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Wilder compare with the rest of Vermont?
Wilder ranks #16 of the 20 Vermont cities we track, with a score of 55.6 against Vermont's statewide 74. Its households earn 9% below the Vermont median.
| City | Rank in VT | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury, VTPop. 7,220 | #1 | 76.4 | $86,250 | $1,201/mo | 54 |
| Shelburne, VTPop. 6,499 | #2 | 76.0 | $109,583 | $1,439/mo | 61 |
| Essex Junction, VTPop. 10,803 | #3 | 70.9 | $89,257 | $1,544/mo | no data |
| Montpelier, VTPop. 8,014 | #4 | 69.9 | $81,030 | $1,302/mo | 343 |
| South Burlington, VTPop. 20,756 | #5 | 69.6 | $106,667 | $1,787/mo | 231 |
| Winooski, VTPop. 8,293 | #6 | 69.2 | $79,522 | $1,643/mo | 272 |
| Milton, VTPop. 3,555 | #7 | 67.5 | $77,550 | $1,471/mo | county/metro |
| White River Junction, VTPop. 3,364 | #8 | 65.5 | $77,168 | $1,222/mo | no data |
| Burlington, VTPop. 44,675 | #9 | 64.4 | $71,109 | $1,649/mo | 483 |
| Brattleboro, VTPop. 7,657 | #10 | 62.6 | $52,734 | $1,113/mo | county/metro |
| St. Johnsbury, VTPop. 5,859 | #11 | 61.3 | $53,711 | $912/mo | 203 |
| Springfield, VTPop. 4,237 | #12 | 60.2 | $46,760 | $818/mo | county/metro |
| Northfield, VTPop. 3,766 | #13 | 59.9 | $60,789 | $997/mo | county/metro |
| Rutland, VTPop. 15,712 | #14 | 57.9 | $57,675 | $995/mo | 464 |
| Bennington, VTPop. 9,245 | #15 | 56.7 | $54,257 | $1,115/mo | county/metro |
| Wilder, VTPop. 3,087 | #16 | 55.6 | $75,143 | $1,142/mo | no data |
| St. Albans, VTPop. 6,954 | #17 | 53.1 | $57,980 | $1,150/mo | 735 |
| Barre, VTPop. 8,412 | #18 | 52.5 | $65,625 | $1,093/mo | 533 |
| Bellows Falls, VTPop. 2,891 | #19 | 52.2 | $56,086 | $1,038/mo | 110 |
| Newport, VTPop. 4,394 | #20 | 51.8 | $54,646 | $850/mo | 395 |
All 20 Vermont cities we track, by overall score. Vermont statewide: median income $82,730, violent crime 214.4 per 100,000.
How is Wilder's score calculated?
Wilder scores 55.6 out of 100, #673 of 1,312 (grade C+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Vermont's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data, some inputs missing · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Wilder. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 41.9.
34.9 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Wilder. Similar-size median 56.5.
67.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Wilder's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
74.5 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Wilder. Similar-size median 50.8.
55.8 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Wilder. Similar-size median 48.3.
51.4 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Wilder's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
55.3 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 59.2.
55.8 - SafetyNot scored
No FBI figures from a police agency serving Wilder alone.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Wilder.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Wilder.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Wilder's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Wilder has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Wilder
Is Wilder, VT a good place to live?
Wilder ranks #673 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #112 of 234 towns and #16 of 20 in Vermont. It sits near the middle of similar-size cities on income, costs, crime and commute.
What is the cost of living in Wilder?
Wilder's cost of living index is 96.4, 4% below the US level of 100 and #511 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $1,142/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $273,200.
Is Wilder safe?
No police agency reports crime to the FBI for Wilder alone, which is typical of places policed by a county sheriff, so we don't publish a Wilder crime rate or rank it on safety. Vermont as a whole records 214 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Wilder?
The median household in Wilder earns $75,143, 10% below the US figure of $83,163 and 9% below Vermont ($82,730). 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Wilder?
Median rent in Wilder is $1,142/mo (Census), #375 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 18.2% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Wilder?
The Census median value of owner-occupied homes in Wilder is $273,200, #455 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest).
How are the public schools in Wilder?
We have too few school records for Wilder to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Wilder?
The average commute is 16.6 minutes, #119 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 23.9 minutes across Vermont. 0% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Wilder?
Wilder averages 46°F over the year, 68°F in summer and 23°F in winter, with 38.1 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Wilder walkable?
Wilder scores 11.5 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #535 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Wilder at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Windsor County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, ice storm, and hurricane, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 56% of US counties.
Who lives in Wilder?
Wilder has 3,087 residents. The median resident of Wilder is 45.5 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 60.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #125 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 62.9% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Wilder compare with the rest of Vermont?
Wilder ranks #16 of the 20 Vermont cities we track, with a score of 55.6 against Vermont's statewide 74. Its households earn 9% below the Vermont median.
What cities are similar in size to Wilder?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Wilder's population of 3,087 are Caribou, ME (#615 overall), Elsmere, DE (#971 overall), Lewistown, MT (#1094 overall), Chena Ridge, AK (#186 overall), and Buffalo, WY (#595 overall). Wilder is #673.