Compare towns

Fairlee vs Rupert vs West Fairlee

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairlee has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.1%).
Rupert has the most expensive homes ($363k median).
West Fairlee has the most affordable homes ($237k median).

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.

MeasureFairleeRupertWest Fairlee
People
Population
1,066Highest
676Lowest
711
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%
VT: +2.8%
-4.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
56.2±8.7
30% above VT
57.8±9.7Highest
34% above VT
50.3±7.6Lowest
17% above VT
Rupert and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.2%±4.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
13.9%±3.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.5%±5.1
VT: 17.9%
Rupert and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.4%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
42.3%±8.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Rupert and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
30.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
44.6%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.1%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Fairlee and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,760±$10kLowest
8% below VT
$88,229±$36kHighest
9% above VT
$76,500±$16k
6% below VT
Rupert and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$274,200±$39k
13% below VT
$362,500±$63kHighest
14% above VT
$237,200±$35kLowest
25% below VT
Rupert and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,083±$242Lowest
12% below VT
—
$1,113±$171Highest
10% below VT
West Fairlee and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,617Highest
11% above VT
$4,594Lowest
9% below VT
$5,210
3% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
89.2%±71.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
20%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
50%±89.6
VT: 48.4%
Fairlee and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
93.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
91.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1978Highest
2 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
3% above VT
27 min
14% above VT
28 minHighest
20% above VT
Work from home
15%±7.9
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±9.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
5.5%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Rupert and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Rivendell Interstate School District — Rivendell Interstate School District
High school 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.