Compare towns
Lincoln vs Dover vs Brookfield vs Ripton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lincoln has the youngest population (median age 45.7).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Brookfield has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).
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 | Lincoln | Dover | Brookfield | Ripton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,394 |
1,466 |
1,486Highest |
508Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.1% VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+25.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.7±3.6Lowest 6% above VT |
53.5±8.3Highest 24% above VT |
47±5.9 9% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
| Dover and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.1%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±4.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3 VT: 17.9% |
| Brookfield and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
29.7%±6.4 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.3% VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
3.2%±2.4 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $96,667±$18k 19% above VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$98,500±$23k 21% above VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
| Ripton and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $365,200±$30k 15% above VT |
$332,900±$55kLowest 5% above VT |
$339,300±$15k 7% above VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
| Ripton and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $870±$47 29% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$975±$306Highest 21% below VT |
— |
| Brookfield and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,100Highest 21% above VT |
$4,510Lowest 10% below VT |
$4,560 10% below VT |
$4,915 about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.1%±25.5 VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
30.4%±27.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.5% VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
6.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.1% VT: 73.2% |
81.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
22 minLowest 6% below VT |
37 minHighest 55% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 18.8%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±10.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Brookfield and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Lincoln Town School District | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| High school in town | None 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.