Compare towns
Lowell vs Ripton vs Eden vs Berkshire
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($183k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Berkshire has the youngest population (median age 31.6).
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 | Lowell | Ripton | Eden | Berkshire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070 |
508Lowest |
1,351 |
1,745Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.1% VT: +2.8% |
-8.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5 24% below VT |
47.7±14.2Highest 11% above VT |
37.7±1.9 13% below VT |
31.6±6.9Lowest 27% below VT |
| Ripton and Eden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±4.3 VT: 17.9% |
27.2%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
11.6%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
14.8%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
17.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
22% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
4.1%±3.8 VT: 7% |
3.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$83,578±$8k about the VT average |
$71,406±$21k 12% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$215,900±$27k 32% below VT |
$244,600±$26k 23% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Lowest 23% below VT |
— | $1,300±$441 5% above VT |
$1,525±$267Highest 24% above VT |
| Berkshire and Eden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$3,313 34% below VT |
$3,545 30% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
34.3%±39 VT: 48.4% |
57.4%±52.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Berkshire and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
6.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
77.4% VT: 73.2% |
77.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1991Highest 15 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
38 min 63% above VT |
32 min 37% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
5.6%±4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Ripton and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Lowell School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| 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.