Compare towns

Ripton vs Plainfield vs Springfield

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%).
Plainfield has the oldest population (median age 48.1).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k 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.

MeasureRiptonPlainfieldSpringfield
People
Population
508Lowest
1,314
9,084Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
48.1±5.5Highest
12% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
Plainfield 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
VT: 17.9%
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
18.6%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Springfield and Plainfield 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%
21.1%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
23.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48%
VT: 43.8%
48.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.1%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$69,250±$31k
15% below VT
$66,571±$13kLowest
18% below VT
Ripton and Plainfield 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
$318,400±$34k
about the VT average
$192,400±$20kLowest
39% below VT
Ripton and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,153±$103Highest
7% below VT
$963±$100Lowest
22% below VT
Plainfield and Springfield 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
$4,806Lowest
5% below VT
$4,807
5% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Ripton 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%
11.6%
VT: 10.1%
14.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Highest
3 yrs older than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1958
18 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
24 minLowest
about the VT average
27 minHighest
16% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.4%±4.4
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Plainfield 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 — — #64 of 70 in VT
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 — River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District
High school in town None in town — Springfield High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
14.3
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.