Compare towns

Ludlow vs Springfield vs Dover

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).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).

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.

MeasureLudlowSpringfieldDover
People
Population
1,990
9,084Highest
1,466Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.6%
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+60%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.2±6.2
21% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
53.5±8.3Highest
24% above VT
Dover and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.1%±6
VT: 17.9%
18.6%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
10.2%±5.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Springfield and Ludlow 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%
23.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.5%±6.2
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%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.8%±6.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
2.5%±2.9
VT: 7%
Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$54,885±$14k
32% below VT
$66,571±$13kHighest
18% below VT
$52,313±$7kLowest
36% below VT
Springfield and Ludlow 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
$192,400±$20kLowest
39% below VT
$332,900±$55k
5% above 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±$151Highest
10% below VT
$963±$100
22% below VT
$670±$49Lowest
46% below VT
Ludlow and Springfield 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
$4,807
5% below VT
$4,510Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.2%±25.2
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6Highest
VT: 48.4%
38.1%±17.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Springfield and Ludlow 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%
14.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
71.9%
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
14% below VT
27 minHighest
16% above VT
22 min
6% below VT
Work from home
21.3%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.2%±11.1Highest
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 — #64 of 70 in VT —
School district Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District River Valleys Unified School District #73
High school in town None in town Springfield High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
14.3
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.