Compare towns

Plainfield vs Ludlow vs Brookfield

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
Ludlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Brookfield has the highest household income ($99k).

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.

MeasurePlainfieldLudlowBrookfield
People
Population
1,314Lowest
1,990Highest
1,486
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
+10.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.1±5.5
12% above VT
52.2±6.2Highest
21% above VT
47±5.9Lowest
9% above VT
Ludlow and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
14.1%±6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±4.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Brookfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
31.1%±2Highest
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.4
VT: 21.4%
Ludlow and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.3%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
5.8%±6.4Highest
VT: 7%
3.2%±2.4
VT: 7%
Ludlow and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31k
15% below VT
$54,885±$14kLowest
32% below VT
$98,500±$23kHighest
21% above VT
Brookfield and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34kLowest
about the VT average
$370,200±$46kHighest
17% above VT
$339,300±$15k
7% above VT
Ludlow and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103Highest
7% below VT
$1,112±$151
10% below VT
$975±$306Lowest
21% below VT
Plainfield and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806
5% below VT
$4,890Highest
about the VT average
$4,560Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
45.2%±25.2
VT: 48.4%
30.4%±27.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
71.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1975
1 yr older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
20 minLowest
14% below VT
37 minHighest
55% above VT
Work from home
16.4%±4.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.3%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±10.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
Brookfield and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59
High school in town — None in town None in town
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.