Compare towns

Charlotte vs Middlesex vs Ripton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Charlotte has the most expensive homes ($695k median).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
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.

MeasureCharlotteMiddlesexRipton
People
Population
3,916Highest
1,943
508Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.2%
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.2±5Highest
21% above VT
44.4±3.9Lowest
3% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.6%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Middlesex and Charlotte are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.3%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Charlotte are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
66.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
48%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.4%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$144,375±$27kHighest
78% above VT
$109,632±$13kLowest
35% above VT
$112,917±$15k
39% above VT
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$695,300±$53kHighest
120% above VT
$376,300±$40kLowest
19% above VT
$394,400±$61k
25% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,738±$803Highest
41% above VT
$1,333±$359Lowest
8% above VT
—
Charlotte and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$9,221Highest
83% above VT
$6,483
29% above VT
$4,915Lowest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.1%±28.6Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.5%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
7% above VT
27 minHighest
17% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
29.8%±8.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Charlotte and Middlesex 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 #3 of 70 in VT — —
School district Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 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.