Compare towns

Plainfield vs Ripton vs Grafton

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 kids (16.3% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Grafton has the oldest population (median age 59.2).

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.

MeasurePlainfieldRiptonGrafton
People
Population
1,314Highest
508Lowest
666
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.1±5.5
12% above VT
47.7±14.2Lowest
11% above VT
59.2±4.4Highest
37% above VT
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3
VT: 17.9%
5.9%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Plainfield and Ripton 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%
30.5%±7.1
VT: 21.4%
34.2%±2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Grafton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%
VT: 43.8%
48%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
7.1%±5
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31kLowest
15% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$76,111±$7k
6% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34kLowest
about the VT average
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$343,200±$85k
8% above VT
Ripton and Grafton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103Lowest
7% below VT
—
$1,288±$174Highest
4% above VT
Grafton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806Lowest
5% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$4,843
4% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
53.8%±69.4
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Grafton 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%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1978Highest
2 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
24 min
about the VT average
24 minHighest
4% above VT
Work from home
16.4%±4.4
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
15.8%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Athens Grafton School District
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.