Compare towns
Chester vs Mapleton vs Hope vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chester has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Hope has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Andover has the most people working from home (29.6%).
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 | Chester | Mapleton | Hope | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,992Highest |
1,884 |
1,748 |
616Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 49.7±4.7Highest 28% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
44.6±3.1 15% above U.S. |
49.2±5.1 26% above U.S. |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.5%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Hope and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.8%±7.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±1.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.7%±4.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
47.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
43.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chester and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $62,125±$8kLowest 23% below U.S. |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
$86,766±$6k 7% above U.S. |
$102,500±$38kHighest 27% above U.S. |
| Andover and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $232,900±$44k 30% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$373,400±$33k 12% above U.S. |
$382,900±$68kHighest 15% above U.S. |
| Andover and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $960±$44 32% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,219±$182 14% below U.S. |
$1,389±$364Highest about the U.S. average |
| Andover and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,262 37% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$3,842 23% above U.S. |
$5,190Highest 66% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
37.8%±38.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
69.4%±47.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Andover and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
25 min 5% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±10.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.6%±12.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Andover and Hope 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 | #49 of 70 in VT | — | — | — |
| School district | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Hope Public Schools | — |
| High school in town | Green Mountain Union High School | None in town | None in town | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 8.7 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.