Compare towns

Ripton vs Newfields vs Chester

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Newfields has the highest household income ($198k).
Chester has the most affordable homes ($233k median).

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.

MeasureRiptonNewfieldsChester
People
Population
508Lowest
2,023
2,992Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47.7±14.2
23% above U.S.
44.1±1.8Lowest
13% above U.S.
49.7±4.7Highest
28% above U.S.
Chester and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.8%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.1%±4.7
U.S.: 22%
Newfields and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.5%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
29.8%±7.9
U.S.: 17.2%
Ripton and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48%
U.S.: 35.7%
68.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
33.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±7.2
U.S.: 6.4%
5.1%±4Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Ripton and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15k
40% above U.S.
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$62,125±$8kLowest
23% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,400±$61k
19% above U.S.
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$232,900±$44kLowest
30% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$960±$44Lowest
32% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,915
58% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$4,262Lowest
37% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8
U.S.: 51.1%
11.5%±12.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Ripton and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
26 min
about the U.S. average
28 minHighest
5% above U.S.
Work from home
17.2%±8.7
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfields and Ripton 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 — — #49 of 70 in VT
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Newfields School District Green Mountain Unified School District #77
High school in town None in town None in town Green Mountain Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
8.7
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.