Compare towns
Halifax vs Newfane vs Ripton vs Westminster
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Halifax has the youngest population (median age 40.6).
Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% under 18).
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 | Halifax | Newfane | Ripton | Westminster |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 847 |
1,456Highest |
508 |
497Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 6% below VT |
54.4±3.9Highest 26% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
43.3±11.5 about the VT average |
| Newfane and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 25.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3 VT: 17.9% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2 VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±11.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46.5% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $63,889±$7kLowest 21% below VT |
$66,719±$21k 18% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$81,000±$22k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21kLowest 16% below VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$313,600±$39k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $875±$154 29% below VT |
$1,266±$238Highest about the VT average |
— | $749±$315Lowest 39% below VT |
| Newfane and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991 about the VT average |
$5,174Highest about the VT average |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$4,480Lowest 11% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Halifax and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% VT: 73.2% |
87.2% VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 8 yrs older than VT |
1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1973Highest 3 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 38% above VT |
27 min 13% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
30 min 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9 VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Halifax 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 | — | — | — | #53 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Halifax School District | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | 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 | 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.