Compare towns

Ripton vs Highgate vs Williamstown

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%).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Williamstown has the most kids (19.9% 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.

MeasureRiptonHighgateWilliamstown
People
Population
508Lowest
3,528
3,579Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
44±7.4
about the VT average
42±5Lowest
about the VT average
Ripton and Highgate 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%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
19.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Williamstown and Highgate 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%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
17%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Highgate 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%
19.5%
VT: 43.8%
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
4.8%±3.2
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$81,017±$14kLowest
about the VT average
$94,418±$10k
16% above VT
Ripton and Williamstown 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
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$234,900±$24kLowest
26% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
Williamstown and Highgate 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
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$3,841
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
31 minHighest
32% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±6.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Highgate 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 — #43 of 70 in VT #47 of 70 in VT
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Paine Mountain Union School District #68
High school in town None in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School Williamstown Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8Highest
9.5Lowest
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.