Compare towns

Brighton vs Brooks vs Barton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brighton has grown the fastest since 2010 (-5.3%).
Brooks has the most homeowners (74.6%).
Barton has the most kids (24.1% 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.

MeasureBrightonBrooksBarton
People
Population
1,167
1,208Highest
730Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.2±11.6
16% above U.S.
45.9±6.6Highest
18% above U.S.
40±5.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
Brooks and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.3%±5.7
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
24.1%±5.4Highest
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+
27.2%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.2%±4.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Brighton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
27.5%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
6.8%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Brooks and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$47,375±$21k
41% below U.S.
$59,130±$10kHighest
27% below U.S.
$40,833±$8kLowest
49% below U.S.
Brooks and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$163,900±$39k
51% below U.S.
$196,700±$33kHighest
41% below U.S.
$146,900±$30kLowest
56% below U.S.
Brooks and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$775±$33
45% below U.S.
$1,116±$112Highest
21% below U.S.
$761±$150Lowest
46% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,360Highest
8% above U.S.
$2,096Lowest
33% below U.S.
$3,185
about the U.S. average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
55%±17
U.S.: 51.1%
18%±17.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
58.8%±18.2Highest
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
22%
U.S.: 12.5%
19.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
25.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
51.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
74.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
52.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1967
13 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1945Lowest
35 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
25% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
31 min
18% above U.S.
Work from home
12.4%±8.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.5%±2.9
U.S.: 15.1%
16.5%±10.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Barton and Brooks 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 RSU 03/MSAD 03 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 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.