Compare towns

Calais vs Ludlow vs Ripton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Calais has the most kids (22.5% under 18).
Ludlow has the most renters (28.1% rent).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).

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.

MeasureCalaisLudlowRipton
People
Population
1,713
1,990Highest
508Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+10.6%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42±8.6Lowest
about the VT average
52.2±6.2Highest
21% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
Ludlow and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.5%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.1%±6
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Calais and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.6%±5.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
31.1%±2Highest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1
VT: 21.4%
Ludlow and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.4%±3.4
VT: 7%
5.8%±6.4Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,625±$27k
24% above VT
$54,885±$14kLowest
32% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
Ripton and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$390,300±$36k
23% above VT
$370,200±$46kLowest
17% above VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
Ripton and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,408±$392Highest
14% above VT
$1,112±$151Lowest
10% below VT
—
Calais and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,586Highest
31% above VT
$4,890Lowest
about the VT average
$4,915
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49%±38.3
VT: 48.4%
45.2%±25.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
71.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
same as VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
20 minLowest
14% below VT
24 min
about the VT average
Work from home
23.4%±7.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.3%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Calais and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.