Compare towns

Poultney vs Ripton vs Fair Haven

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 most renters (43.3% rent).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Fair Haven has the most kids (19.4% under 18).

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.

MeasurePoultneyRiptonFair Haven
People
Population
1,033
508Lowest
2,724Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
39.2±7.6
9% below VT
Ripton and Fair Haven 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%
19.4%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Fair Haven and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
18.4%±4.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Poultney 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%
23.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3
VT: 7%
4.1%±2.9Lowest
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
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$43k
38% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$176,500±$14kLowest
44% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$868±$113Highest
30% below VT
—
$830±$116Lowest
33% below VT
Poultney and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,450Lowest
32% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$3,865
23% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
23.2%±12.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
50.9%±20.9
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Fair Haven 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%
18.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
56.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1973Highest
3 yrs older than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
33% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
31 min
31% above VT
Work from home
11.3%±3.5
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
4.3%±2.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Poultney 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 — #66 of 70 in VT
School district — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62
High school in town — None in town Fair Haven Union Middle and High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
12.8
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 12 photos →

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.