Wells River, VT

Vermont

Wells River is a small town in Vermont with a population of 339. Residents earn $40,556 per year, which is 46% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
339 Population 179/sq mi density
$40,556 Median Income $26,622 per capita
$160,800 Home Value $218,581 Zillow
$755 Median Rent
41°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$40,556 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$160,800 home value, $755/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $40,556
46% lower than US avg
Home Value $160,800
43% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.4%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $755
35% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 33.2%
3% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.1%
78% higher than US avg

How Wells River Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population339
Median Age52.4 yrs
Density179/mi²
Male / Female55% / 45%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,556
Per Capita$26,622
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty22.1%
County GDP$1,188M
Commute33 min

Housing

A
Home Value$160,800
Rent$755
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$218,581

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity33.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.6%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp41°F
AQI31 (Good)
Rain43.2 in/yr
Elevation647 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.4%
High School+80.1%
School Score6.02

Community

2024 VoteR 38% / D 58%
Commute33 min
Libraries16

Is Wells River a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wells River receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Wells River offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wells River is $40,556, 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 22.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Wells River is $160,800, 43% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $755 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Wells River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F. Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31.

Wells River has a population of 339 with a density of 179 people per square mile. The median age is 52.4 years, 35% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.5%), with 6.2% Hispanic.

Population

339
Total Population
179
People / sq mi
52.4yrs
Median Age
35% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 55.2%
Female 44.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Wells River vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only87.4%
11% above US avg
Spanish12.6%
6% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wells River vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wells River is $40,556, which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 33 minutes.

Income: Wells River vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$40,556
46% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,622
Avg Weekly Wage$1,064
IRS Avg AGI$68,555

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.1%
78% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,015
County GDP$1,188M

Business (County)

Restaurants57
Healthcare83
Retail83
Manufacturing49

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,438
113% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.63%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.8 min
Work from Home6.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Wells River is $160,800, 43% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $755 (35% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $218,581.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$160,800
43% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$218,581

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$283
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio92.9%
Price Drops0.0%
Inventory4

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$755
35% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,124
1 Bedroom$1,203
2 Bedrooms$1,487
3 Bedrooms$1,922
4 Bedrooms$2,111

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,438
113% above US avg
Effective Rate4.63%
In Wells River, 33.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.6% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Wells River vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity33.2%
3% above US avg
Diabetes8.6%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure29.4%
Asthma11.9%
COPD6.5%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.4%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression28.6%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.6%
Checkup Rate72.9%
Premature Death7,382/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.7/10
Exercise Access47.4%
Healthcare Facilities83

Crime Rates: Wells River vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Wells River has an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 31.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-10°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average41.4°F
23% below US avg
January Average15°F (-10°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.2 inches
14% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median31.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation647 ft (197 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density179/sq mi
Coordinates44.1565°N, 72.0680°W
County FIPS50017
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 15.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 20.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 38.1%
D 58.3%

Winner: Democrat by 20.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.4%
54% below US avg
High School+80.1%
School Test Score6.02
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density179/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries16
Healthcare Facilities83
Restaurants57
Retail Stores83

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.8 min
Work from Home6.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Wells River with another city: