Compare towns

Highgate vs Ripton vs Salisbury vs Sutton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Salisbury has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($231k 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.

MeasureHighgateRiptonSalisburySutton
People
Population
3,528Highest
508Lowest
1,200
790
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+7.5%
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
50.6±6.5Highest
17% above VT
46.6±5.7
8% above VT
Salisbury and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
16.6%±3.2
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sutton and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
30.4%±2.9
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.6%
VT: 43.8%
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$99,688±$21k
23% above VT
$71,250±$18kLowest
12% below VT
Ripton and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$306,900±$51k
3% below VT
$231,100±$41kLowest
27% below VT
Ripton and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
—
$1,443±$984Highest
17% above VT
—
Salisbury and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$4,842
4% below VT
$3,975
21% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
31.9%±22.6
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
4.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
88.7%
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
24 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
20% below VT
30 min
26% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
6%±2.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Highgate 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 #43 of 70 in VT — — —
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8
— — —
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.