Compare towns
Berlin vs Ripton vs Pownal vs Brandon
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 oldest population (median age 50.6).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Pownal has the most homeowners (92.6%).
Brandon has the most kids (19.2% under 18).
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 | Ripton | Pownal | Brandon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
508Lowest |
3,265 |
4,120Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
50.1±3.1 16% above VT |
| Berlin and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
19.2%±4.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Brandon and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
22.3%±4.1Lowest 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% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.7 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
$64,180±$12k 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 |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
$227,800±$23kLowest 28% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
— | $944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,064±$225 14% below VT |
| Berlin and Brandon 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 |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$3,560Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,241 16% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
41.7%±15.1 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% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
92.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1969 7 yrs older than VT |
1951Lowest 25 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
24 minHighest about the VT average |
21 min 10% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
9.9%±5.7Lowest 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 | — | #67 of 70 in VT | #69 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Otter Valley Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 9.9 |
| 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.