Compare towns

Ferrisburgh vs Reading 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

Ferrisburgh has the highest household income ($107k).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
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.

MeasureFerrisburghReadingWest Fairlee
People
Population
2,661Highest
699Lowest
711
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.6%
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.5±4.9Lowest
6% above VT
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
50.3±7.6
17% above VT
Reading and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.2%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.5%±5.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Reading and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.3%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
West Fairlee and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
51.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
46%
VT: 43.8%
44.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±2.8
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Reading and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$106,989±$22kHighest
32% above VT
$85,000±$19k
5% above VT
$76,500±$16kLowest
6% below VT
Ferrisburgh and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$422,700±$35kHighest
34% above VT
$377,200±$72k
19% above VT
$237,200±$35kLowest
25% below VT
Ferrisburgh and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,435±$173Highest
16% above VT
$1,100±$331Lowest
11% below VT
$1,113±$171
10% below VT
Ferrisburgh and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,120Highest
21% above VT
$5,754
14% above VT
$5,210Lowest
3% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57%±19.5
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
50%±89.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.3%
VT: 73.2%
84.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
91.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
1969
7 yrs older than VT
1978Highest
2 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
21% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
28 minLowest
20% above VT
Work from home
14.6%±4.2
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
5.5%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Ferrisburgh 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 #7 of 70 in VT — —
School district Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Rivendell Interstate School District
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.