Compare towns
Berlin vs Derby vs Ripton vs Pownal
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the most kids (16.6% under 18).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Pownal has the most homeowners (92.6%).
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.
| Measure | Berlin | Derby | Ripton | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,537Highest |
508Lowest |
3,265 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
| Derby and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5% VT: 43.8% |
36.8% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
| Ripton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31k 14% below VT |
$225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
$1,096±$118 11% below VT |
— | $944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
| Berlin and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418 12% below VT |
$3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$3,560 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
92.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
32 minHighest 38% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
21 min 10% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Ripton and Pownal 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 | #16 of 70 in VT | #52 of 70 in VT | — | #67 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.