Compare towns

Barton vs Jefferson vs Brighton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barton has the most kids (24.1% under 18).
Jefferson has the most expensive homes ($297k median).
Brighton has grown the fastest since 2010 (-5.3%).

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.

MeasureBartonJeffersonBrighton
People
Population
730Lowest
1,013
1,167Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40±5.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
58±3.5Highest
49% above U.S.
45.2±11.6
16% above U.S.
Jefferson and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24.1%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
12.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.3%±5.7
U.S.: 22%
Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.2%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
33.7%±9.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.2%±4.6
U.S.: 17.2%
Jefferson and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
25.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±1.5
U.S.: 6.4%
4.6%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Brighton and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$40,833±$8kLowest
49% below U.S.
$67,188±$13kHighest
17% below U.S.
$47,375±$21k
41% below U.S.
Jefferson and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$146,900±$30kLowest
56% below U.S.
$296,700±$92kHighest
11% below U.S.
$163,900±$39k
51% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$761±$150Lowest
46% below U.S.
$867±$156Highest
39% below U.S.
$775±$33
45% below U.S.
Jefferson and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,185Lowest
about the U.S. average
$4,196Highest
35% above U.S.
$3,360
8% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.8%±18.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±71.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
55%±17
U.S.: 51.1%
Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
25.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
22%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
52.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
51.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1945Lowest
35 yrs older than U.S.
1988Highest
8 yrs newer than U.S.
1967
13 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minLowest
18% above U.S.
35 minHighest
31% above U.S.
33 min
25% above U.S.
Work from home
16.5%±10.4
U.S.: 15.1%
17.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
12.4%±8.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jefferson 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 — —
School district — — Brighton School District
High school in town — — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 14 photos → None yet

U.S. 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.