Compare towns
Berlin vs Ripton vs Springfield 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 oldest population (median age 50.6).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
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 | Ripton | Springfield | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
508Lowest |
9,084Highest |
3,265 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.3% VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
43.2±3.7Lowest about the VT average |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
| Berlin and Pownal 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% |
18.6%±3.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
| Springfield 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% |
23.6%±3.7Lowest 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% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
23.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
28.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.4 VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$66,571±$13k 18% below 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 |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$192,400±$20kLowest 39% below VT |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
— | $963±$100 22% below VT |
$944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
| Berlin and Springfield 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 |
$4,807 5% below VT |
$3,560Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
49.6%±15.6 VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Springfield 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% |
14.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
67.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1958Lowest 18 yrs older than VT |
1969 7 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
27 minHighest 16% above VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
15.1%±5.5 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 | — | #64 of 70 in VT | #67 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Springfield High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 14.3 |
— |
| 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.