Compare towns
Lincoln vs Springfield vs Stratton vs Bristol
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 most homeowners (88.1%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Stratton has the most kids (28% under 18).
Bristol has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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 | Springfield | Stratton | Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,394 |
9,084Highest |
532Lowest |
3,778 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | -2.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.7±3.6 6% above VT |
43.2±3.7 about the VT average |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
47.9±4.8Highest 11% above VT |
| Bristol and Lincoln 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% |
18.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±3 VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±3.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Springfield and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.5%Highest VT: 43.8% |
23.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
41.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.9%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.4 VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±3.2Highest VT: 7% |
| Bristol and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $96,667±$18k 19% above VT |
$66,571±$13kLowest 18% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$74,620±$8k 8% below VT |
| Stratton and Lincoln 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 |
$192,400±$20kLowest 39% below VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$337,300±$46k 7% above VT |
| Stratton and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $870±$47Lowest 29% below VT |
$963±$100 22% below VT |
$1,208±$979 about the VT average |
$1,275±$181Highest 3% above VT |
| Bristol and Stratton 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 |
$4,807 5% below VT |
$4,750Lowest 6% below VT |
$5,978 19% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.1%±25.5 VT: 48.4% |
49.6%±15.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
47.9%±14.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Springfield 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% |
14.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
67.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
73.3% VT: 73.2% |
71.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1958Lowest 18 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
27 min 16% above VT |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
25 minLowest 5% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.8%±5.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
15.1%±5.5 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.9%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Lincoln and Bristol 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 | — | #64 of 70 in VT | — | #31 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Lincoln Town School District | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District | — | Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 |
| High school in town | None in town | Springfield High School | — | Mt. Abraham Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 14.3Highest |
— | 11.9Lowest |
| 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.