Compare towns

Poultney vs Ripton vs Brighton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Poultney has the youngest population (median age 28.2).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Brighton has the most affordable homes ($164k median).

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.

MeasurePoultneyRiptonBrighton
People
Population
1,033
508Lowest
1,167Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-5.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
45.2±11.6
5% above VT
Ripton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.8%±5
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±5.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
Brighton and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.4%
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3
VT: 7%
4.6%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
Poultney and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,536±$11k
13% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$47,375±$21kLowest
42% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$43k
38% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$163,900±$39kLowest
48% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$868±$113Highest
30% below VT
—
$775±$33Lowest
37% below VT
Poultney and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,450
32% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$3,360Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
23.2%±12.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
55%±17Highest
VT: 48.4%
Brighton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
22%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
56.7%
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1973Highest
3 yrs older than VT
1967
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
33% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
33 minHighest
41% above VT
Work from home
11.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.4%±8.1
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Brighton 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 #41 of 70 in VT — —
School district — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Brighton 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.