Compare towns
Danby vs Ripton vs Wells vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Wells has the most affordable homes ($243k median).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).
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 | Danby | Ripton | Wells | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
508Lowest |
1,148Highest |
831 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5.6% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
50.7±5.2 18% above VT |
47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
| Danby and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±4.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
| Wells and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
24.5%±2.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
29.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
3%±2.1 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$75,417±$11k 7% below VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$243,000±$42kLowest 23% below VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
— | $1,313±$282Highest 6% above VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
| Wells and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543 10% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$3,308Lowest 34% below VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
62.5%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Wells and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4% VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
15.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
93.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
48 minHighest 102% above VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±6.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.