Compare towns

Halifax vs Ryegate vs Colrain

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Ryegate has the most affordable homes ($219k median).
Colrain has the highest household income ($81k).

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.

MeasureHalifaxRyegateColrain
People
Population
847Lowest
1,059
1,627Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-0.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
40.6±13.1Lowest
4% above U.S.
41.2±2.6
6% above U.S.
49.6±8.7Highest
28% above U.S.
Colrain and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
23.2%±4.6
U.S.: 22%
15.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Halifax and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.6%±7.2
U.S.: 17.2%
22.1%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.4%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
44.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
29.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
37.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.4%±1.4
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Colrain and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below U.S.
$66,484±$15k
18% below U.S.
$80,673±$10kHighest
about the U.S. average
Colrain and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$267,500±$21k
20% below U.S.
$219,300±$32kLowest
34% below U.S.
$284,300±$14kHighest
15% below U.S.
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$875±$154Lowest
38% below U.S.
$908±$236
36% below U.S.
$1,102±$77Highest
22% below U.S.
Colrain and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,991Highest
60% above U.S.
$3,472Lowest
11% above U.S.
$4,317
38% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
57.1%±73.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
55.9%±29.7
U.S.: 51.1%
46%±22.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Halifax and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
14.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1968Highest
12 yrs older than U.S.
1949Lowest
31 yrs older than U.S.
1963
17 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
23% above U.S.
28 minLowest
5% above U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
29.9%±11.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.2%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.3
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
School district Halifax School District — Mohawk Trail
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.