Compare towns

Ripton vs Hardwick vs Troy

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Hardwick has the most affordable homes ($185k median).
Troy has the most kids (21.4% 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.

MeasureRiptonHardwickTroy
People
Population
508Lowest
2,965Highest
1,749
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
47.1±7.4
9% above VT
44.5±5.7Lowest
3% above VT
Ripton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±4.4
VT: 17.9%
21.4%±3.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Troy and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
27%±5.9
VT: 21.4%
17.7%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
33.7%
VT: 43.8%
20.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
2.7%±1.4
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$92,297±$17k
14% above VT
$87,938±$11kLowest
8% above VT
Ripton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$184,700±$39kLowest
42% below VT
$233,200±$21k
26% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$875±$406Highest
29% below VT
$646±$323Lowest
48% below VT
Hardwick and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$4,351
14% below VT
$3,644Lowest
28% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
48.6%±41.3
VT: 48.4%
30.8%±26.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
76.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1962Lowest
14 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
29 minHighest
23% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.8%±6
VT: 16.9%
7.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Hardwick 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 — #68 of 70 in VT —
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Mountain View Union Elementary School District #94 · Hazen Union High School District #26 Troy School District
High school in town None in town Hazen Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.6
—
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.