Compare towns
Reading vs West Fairlee vs Peacham vs Ripton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has the oldest population (median age 51.1).
West Fairlee has the most affordable homes ($237k median).
Peacham has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
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 | West Fairlee | Peacham | Ripton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 699 |
711 |
887Highest |
508Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2% VT: +2.8% |
-4.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.3% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.1±7.6Highest 19% above VT |
50.3±7.6 17% above VT |
50.1±5.7 16% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
| Reading and West Fairlee 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% |
13.5%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest 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%±3.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.7%±6.7 VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Ripton 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% |
44.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3Lowest VT: 7% |
5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$76,500±$16kLowest 6% below VT |
$90,000±$28k 11% above VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
| Ripton 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 |
$237,200±$35kLowest 25% below VT |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
| Ripton 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 |
$1,113±$171Highest 10% below VT |
$1,028±$248Lowest 17% below VT |
— |
| West Fairlee and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,754Highest 14% above VT |
$5,210 3% above VT |
$5,605 11% above VT |
$4,915Lowest about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
50%±89.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 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% |
7.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9% VT: 73.2% |
91.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1978Highest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
28 min 20% above VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
| Work from home | 22.9%±10.6 VT: 16.9% |
5.5%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Rivendell Interstate School District | Peacham School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.