Compare towns
Newfane vs Calais vs Ferrisburgh vs Fairlee
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Ferrisburgh has the most expensive homes ($423k median).
Fairlee has the shortest commute (24 min average).
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 | Newfane | Calais | Ferrisburgh | Fairlee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,456 |
1,713 |
2,661Highest |
1,066Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.6% VT: +2.8% |
+1.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 54.4±3.9 26% above VT |
42±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
45.5±4.9 6% above VT |
56.2±8.7Highest 30% above VT |
| Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
12.2%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Calais and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.3%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
33.4%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Fairlee and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
51.1% VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.4%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3%±2.8 VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.7 VT: 7% |
| Calais and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $66,719±$21kLowest 18% below VT |
$100,625±$27k 24% above VT |
$106,989±$22kHighest 32% above VT |
$74,760±$10k 8% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
$390,300±$36k 23% above VT |
$422,700±$35kHighest 34% above VT |
$274,200±$39kLowest 13% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,266±$238 about the VT average |
$1,408±$392 14% above VT |
$1,435±$173Highest 16% above VT |
$1,083±$242Lowest 12% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,174Lowest about the VT average |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$6,120 21% above VT |
$5,617 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
57%±19.5 VT: 48.4% |
89.2%±71.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Fairlee and Ferrisburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9% VT: 10.1% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
14.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.2% VT: 73.2% |
92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.3% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 13% above VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
24 minLowest 3% above VT |
| Work from home | 30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
14.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
15%±7.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Calais 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 | — | — | #7 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 | Rivendell Interstate School District |
| 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.