Compare towns
Jay vs Ripton vs Dorset vs Richford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Richford has the most affordable homes ($177k 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.
| Measure | Jay | Ripton | Dorset | Richford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 471Lowest |
508 |
2,092 |
2,467Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
+1.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
39±3.6Lowest 10% below VT |
| Jay and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
21.8%±4 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
23.4%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
20.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
6.4%±3.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$111,250±$40k 37% above VT |
$56,853±$13kLowest 30% below VT |
| Ripton and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$394,400±$61k 25% above VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$176,600±$16kLowest 44% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,160±$66Lowest 6% below VT |
| Dorset and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 29% below VT |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$3,300Lowest 35% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
55.1%±15.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
19.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
70.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Enosburgh-Richford Unified Union School District #88 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Richford Junior/Senior High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 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.