Compare towns

Ripton vs Poultney vs Chittenden

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%).
Poultney has the most affordable homes ($197k median).
Chittenden has the oldest population (median age 50.8).

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.

MeasureRiptonPoultneyChittenden
People
Population
508Lowest
1,033
1,318Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
50.8±6.3Highest
18% above VT
Chittenden 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%
16.8%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.8%±2.5
VT: 17.9%
Poultney and Chittenden 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%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.8%±4
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Chittenden 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%
38.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
51.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3
VT: 7%
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
3.8%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Poultney and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$70,536±$11kLowest
13% below VT
$106,250±$28k
31% above VT
Ripton and Chittenden 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
$196,600±$43kLowest
38% below VT
$346,800±$35k
10% above VT
Ripton and Chittenden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$868±$113Lowest
30% below VT
$1,125±$488Highest
9% below VT
Chittenden and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,915
about the VT average
$3,450Lowest
32% below VT
$5,346Highest
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
23.2%±12.4
VT: 48.4%
14.8%±55.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
11.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
56.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
93.5%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
31 minHighest
33% above VT
28 min
21% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
15%±3.6
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Chittenden 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 — #41 of 70 in VT —
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 — Barstow Unified Union School District #49
High school in town None in town — None in town
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.