Compare towns
Ludlow vs Castleton vs Dover vs Mount Holly
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ludlow has the most expensive homes ($370k median).
Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Mount Holly has the most homeowners (92.2%).
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 | Ludlow | Castleton | Dover | Mount Holly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,990 |
4,453Highest |
1,466 |
1,415Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+12% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±6.2 21% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
53.5±8.3Highest 24% above VT |
53.5±8.2Highest 24% above VT |
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±6 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.2%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Mount Holly and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 31.1%±2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
28%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Ludlow and Dover 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% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
41.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±6.4 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
1.5%±1.2Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $54,885±$14k 32% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$78,015±$19kHighest 4% below VT |
| Mount Holly and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $370,200±$46kHighest 17% above VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$332,900±$55k 5% above VT |
$296,900±$40k 6% below VT |
| Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,112±$151 10% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$1,534±$1kHighest 24% above VT |
| Mount Holly and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,890Highest about the VT average |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,510 10% below VT |
$3,926 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.2%±25.2 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
65.9%±65.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Mount Holly are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
11.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
81.1% VT: 73.2% |
92.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
27 minHighest 13% above VT |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.2%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Dover and Ludlow 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 |
| 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.