Compare towns
Morgan vs Barton vs Ryegate vs Brighton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Morgan has the most expensive homes ($311k median).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
Ryegate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.8%).
Brighton has the oldest population (median age 45.2).
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 | Morgan | Barton | Ryegate | Brighton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 827 |
730Lowest |
1,059 |
1,167Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -14.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
-0.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.9±6.4 5% below VT |
40±5.5Lowest 7% below VT |
41.2±2.6 4% below VT |
45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
| Brighton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.5%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
23.2%±4.6 VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.7%±6.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±1.5 VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Morgan and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
29.1% VT: 43.8% |
25.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.3%±1Lowest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6 VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.4 VT: 7% |
4.6%±2.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Brighton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $91,250±$25kHighest 12% above VT |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
$66,484±$15k 18% below VT |
$47,375±$21k 42% below VT |
| Morgan and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $311,300±$66kHighest about the VT average |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
$219,300±$32k 31% below VT |
$163,900±$39k 48% below VT |
| Morgan and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,112±$64Highest 10% below VT |
$761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
$908±$236 26% below VT |
$775±$33 37% below VT |
| Morgan and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,426 32% below VT |
$3,185Lowest 37% below VT |
$3,472Highest 31% below VT |
$3,360 33% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±40.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
55.9%±29.7 VT: 48.4% |
55%±17 VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
14.5% VT: 10.1% |
22% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
52.7% VT: 73.2% |
84.7% VT: 73.2% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Highest 3 yrs older than VT |
1945Lowest 31 yrs older than VT |
1949 27 yrs older than VT |
1967 9 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 15% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.4%±6.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4 VT: 16.9% |
8.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
12.4%±8.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Morgan and Barton 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 | — | #38 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | — | — | — | Brighton School District |
| High school 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.