Wells River, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wells River, Vermont had a total population of 340, the 100th largest village in Vermont, with a median household income of $38,688, which is 52% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 52% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.8%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 9.2% is notably above the national average.
Wells River Quick Facts
How Wells River 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 | 339 | 340 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $40,556 | $38,688 | -4.6% |
| Median home value | $160,800 | $170,800 | +6.2% |
How Wells River 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+)
Wells River Rankings in Vermont
Explore Vermont Rankings
Other Cities in Orange County
Cities Similar to Wells River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Pawlet | 368 | N/A | $156,000 | 33.2% | 18.2% |
| Lyndon Center | 291 | N/A | N/A | 50.6% | 0.0% |
| Danville | 401 | N/A | $286,900 | 49.9% | 5.5% |
| Pawlet | 330 | $52,589 | $248,400 | 41.1% | 10.9% |
| Rochester | 288 | $40,089 | $255,000 | 35.9% | 16.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 340, Wells River's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Wells River is a small community located in Vermont, within Orange County. The total population is 340. It ranks as the 100th most populous out of 179 Census-designated places in Vermont.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wells River is 42.7 years. This is about the same as the state median of 43.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wells River is $38,688. This is 52% lower than the state median of $81,203. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.8%. This is 286% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 9.2%. This is 159% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $170,800. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $316,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 47.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wells River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.9% of the population. Asian residents account for 4.4%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.4% vs 1.8%).
Education
16.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% lower than the state rate of 43.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 78.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wells River, 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 Wells River, Vermont?
Wells River, Vermont has a population of 340 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wells River, VT?
The median household income in Wells River is $38,688, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wells River, VT?
The poverty rate in Wells River is 38.8%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wells River, Vermont?
Wells River's population is 82.9% White, 0.0% Black, 2.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wells River, VT?
The median home value in Wells River is $170,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Wells River, Vermont?
16.3% of adults (25+) in Wells River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.