Compare towns

Richmond vs Rupert vs Waterbury

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Richmond has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Waterbury has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).

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.

MeasureRichmondRupertWaterbury
People
Population
4,159
676Lowest
5,405Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.7±5.6
about the VT average
57.8±9.7Highest
34% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
Rupert and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.5%±5
VT: 17.9%
13.9%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.9%±4.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Waterbury and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
42.3%±8.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.8%±4.4
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
59.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
30.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.7
VT: 7%
2.1%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
3.4%±2.8Highest
VT: 7%
Waterbury and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$108,235±$24kHighest
33% above VT
$88,229±$36kLowest
9% above VT
$103,917±$23k
28% above VT
Richmond and Waterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$432,200±$39k
37% above VT
$362,500±$63kLowest
14% above VT
$447,200±$40kHighest
41% above VT
Waterbury and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly — —
$1,027±$535
17% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,868Highest
36% above VT
$4,594Lowest
9% below VT
$6,435
28% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
28.5%±15.8
VT: 48.4%
20%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
46.8%±21.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Waterbury and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6%
VT: 10.1%
7.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.8%
VT: 73.2%
93.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
70.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
6% above VT
27 min
14% above VT
30 minHighest
28% above VT
Work from home
22.5%±6.1
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±9.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.3%±6.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
Waterbury and Richmond 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 #5 of 70 in VT — #20 of 70 in VT
School district Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 — Harwood Unified Union School District #60
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.