Compare towns
Montgomery vs Ripton vs Wheelock vs Plainfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).
Plainfield has the oldest housing (typical home built 1955).
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 | Montgomery | Ripton | Wheelock | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,047 |
508Lowest |
717 |
1,314Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
51±5.6 18% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
| Montgomery and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Wheelock and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1 VT: 21.4% |
29.4%±4.7 VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Montgomery and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
34.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±3.2 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$64,792±$20k 20% below VT |
$69,250±$31k 15% below VT |
| Ripton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $323,200±$45k about the VT average |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
$318,400±$34k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $868±$209Lowest 30% below VT |
— | — | $1,153±$103Highest 7% below VT |
| Plainfield and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,326 14% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
$4,806 5% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 15.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
11.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 58% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
28 min 17% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
| Work from home | 16%±5.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
21.1%±16Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Wheelock and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | — | — |
| High school 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.