Compare towns
Reading vs Ferrisburgh vs Cavendish vs Peacham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Ferrisburgh has the highest household income ($107k).
Cavendish has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Peacham has the most kids (20.7% 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.
| Measure | Reading | Ferrisburgh | Cavendish | Peacham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 699Lowest |
2,661Highest |
1,242 |
887 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.1±7.6Highest 19% above VT |
45.5±4.9 6% above VT |
45.2±5.9Lowest 5% above VT |
50.1±5.7 16% above VT |
| Reading and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±4.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±4.8 VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
23.3%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±2 VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46% VT: 43.8% |
51.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
39.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
4.3%±1.9 VT: 7% |
5.4%±4Highest VT: 7% |
| Peacham and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,000±$19kLowest 5% above VT |
$106,989±$22kHighest 32% above VT |
$89,063±$29k 10% above VT |
$90,000±$28k 11% above VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$422,700±$35kHighest 34% above VT |
$285,100±$40kLowest 10% below VT |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,100±$331 11% below VT |
$1,435±$173Highest 16% above VT |
$1,000±$546Lowest 19% below VT |
$1,028±$248 17% below VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,754 14% above VT |
$6,120Highest 21% above VT |
$3,948Lowest 22% below VT |
$5,605 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
57%±19.5 VT: 48.4% |
28.9%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.4% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.3% VT: 10.1% |
10.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
81.3% VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 7 yrs older than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
19 minLowest 21% below VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.9%±10.6 VT: 16.9% |
14.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.5%±6.6 VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Peacham and Reading 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 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 | Peacham 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 | 18 photos → | 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.