Compare towns

Barton vs Ripton vs Vernon

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barton has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Vernon has the shortest commute (20 min average).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureBartonRiptonVernon
People
Population
2,815Highest
508Lowest
2,709
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.2%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.9±6.5
4% above VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
42.6±5.4Lowest
about the VT average
Ripton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.7%±3.8Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.1%±3.6
VT: 17.9%
Barton and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.5%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±2.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.7%
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
26.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.9%±1.5Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
3%±1.7
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,250±$16kLowest
18% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$85,682±$9k
6% above VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$201,200±$28kLowest
36% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$285,100±$25k
10% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$793±$70Lowest
36% below VT
—
$1,023±$214Highest
17% below VT
Vernon and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,355Lowest
33% below VT
$4,915
about the VT average
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
39.6%±12.5
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
5.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
73.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
76.2%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Lowest
10 yrs older than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1979Highest
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
50% above VT
24 min
about the VT average
20 minLowest
14% below VT
Work from home
13.4%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #38 of 70 in VT — #30 of 70 in VT
School district Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School District · Lake Region Union High School District #24 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Vernon School District
High school in town Lake Region Union High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
10.5
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.