Chester, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chester, Vermont had a total population of 1,298, the 43rd largest community in Vermont, with a median household income of $64,265, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Chester Quick Facts
How Chester Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,356 | 1,298 | -4.3% |
| Median household income | $67,782 | $64,265 | -5.2% |
| Median home value | $245,300 | $261,900 | +6.8% |
How Chester Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Chester Rankings in Vermont
Explore Vermont Rankings
Other Cities in Windsor County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | 4,237 | $46,760 | 18.7% | $147,200 |
| White River Junction | 3,364 | $77,168 | 12.1% | $278,800 |
| Wilder | 3,087 | $75,143 | 9.3% | $273,200 |
| Windsor | 2,060 | $51,197 | 7.8% | $170,300 |
| Norwich | 1,147 | $173,594 | 3.9% | $697,900 |
| Woodstock | 936 | $87,292 | 10.3% | $775,000 |
| Ludlow | 808 | $56,667 | 8.7% | $304,000 |
| West Woodstock | 657 | $56,012 | 12.8% | $358,300 |
| Hartland | 572 | $102,391 | 4.2% | N/A |
| Bethel | 521 | $63,375 | 10.4% | $274,100 |
Cities Similar to Chester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bennington | 1,336 | $68,571 | $313,000 | 41.4% | 7.4% |
| South Barre | 1,346 | $78,050 | $257,600 | 34.7% | 7.4% |
| Lyndonville | 1,408 | $54,722 | $187,900 | 28.0% | 16.0% |
| Jericho | 1,346 | $89,740 | $480,400 | 77.1% | 1.5% |
| Castleton | 1,052 | N/A | $436,800 | 40.3% | 20.4% |
Population Overview
Chester is a small community located in Vermont, within Windsor County. The total population is 1,298. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 179 Census-designated places in Vermont.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chester is 33.9 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 43.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chester is $64,265. This is 21% lower than the state median of $81,203. It is also 20% lower than the national median of $80,734. The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Chester. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The unemployment rate is 3.1%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $261,900. Housing costs are 17% lower than the state median of $316,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 71.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chester has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%.
Education
43.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 43.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample. Notably, 22.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chester, Vermont is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Vermont state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 179 Census-designated places in Vermont. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Chester, Vermont?
Chester, Vermont has a population of 1,298 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chester, VT?
The median household income in Chester is $64,265, which is 20% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chester, VT?
The ACS sample for Chester recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Chester, Vermont?
Chester's population is 95.2% White, 0.0% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chester, VT?
The median home value in Chester is $261,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.
How educated is Chester, Vermont?
43.0% of adults (25+) in Chester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.