City profile · Vermont · Census ACS 2023

Wells River, VT

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Wells River - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

339
Residents
$40,556
Median income
$160,800
Median home
$1,159
Median rent (state)

Wells River - the verdict

Wells River ranks in the 8th percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

8th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Wells River, VT

Wells River is a small town in Vermont, home to 339 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Wells River brings in $40,556 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 22.1%. Wells River's housing stock carries a median value of $160,800, and the median resident age is 52.4 years. About 15.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 45.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The city is served by 1 public schools according to NCES Common Core of Data.

Vermont tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Vermont scores 98.0 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,159 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Vermont run around $251, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 30.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

339 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Vermont

Median Household Income

$40,556 /yr

Poverty 22.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

98.0 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Vermont average

How does Wells River compare to other US cities?

Where Wells River sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 8% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Wells River's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Vermont, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

8thIncome percentile

8th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Wells River's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$160,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Wells River $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Wells River, VT Wells River, VT's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wells River, VT-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Wells River, VT median $40,556/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Wells River, VT's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Wells River, VT. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 22.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 45.4%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
339
Median Income
$40,556
Median Home Value
$160,800
Median Age
52.4
Poverty Rate
22.1%
Labor force participation
45.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.4%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
435 residents440 residents445 residents450 residents455 residents 202020212022202320242025 437 residents 449 residents ▲ +2.7%
Wells River's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
68.0%
Carpool
18.0%
Public Transit
2.3%
Walk
5.5%
Work from Home
6.3%

Based on 128 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Vermont - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$98
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$251
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Vermont state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Vermont state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Wells River sits in

Cost of Living Index
98.0
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,159/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
30.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Vermont

Lyndon Center
337 people
Rochester
335 people
North Pownal
345 people
North Hyde Park
346 people
Dorset
349 people
Danville
359 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wells River's 339 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Greenehaven, AZ
339 people
Cattle Creek, CO
339 people
Spring Ridge, FL
339 people
Plainville, GA
339 people
Maxwell, IN
339 people
Tecumseh, KS
339 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wells River's $40,556 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Marenisco, MI
$40,556 median income
Williamston, NC
$40,556 median income
Avenue B and C, AZ
$40,554 median income
Flippin, AR
$40,559 median income
Hollins, AL
$40,550 median income
Greendale, MO
$40,547 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wells River, VT Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Wells River, VT - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.8% White 80.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 5.9% American Indian 3.8% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 4.7% Two or more races 5.0% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Wells River compares to nearby Vermont cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Wells River (this city) 339 $40,556
Lyndon Center 337 N/A
Rochester 335 $36,932
North Pownal 345 $71,250
Census ACS 5-year FIPS VT NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wells River, VT?

What is the population of Wells River, VT? +

The population of Wells River, VT stands at 339 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Wells River, VT? +

Wells River households earn a median of $40,556 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wells River? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Wells River; the closest available measure is the Vermont state average, a cost of living index of 98.0 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Vermont vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Wells River, VT? +

Homes in Wells River carry a median value of $160,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.