Compare towns

Ripton vs Springfield 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%).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k 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.

MeasureRiptonSpringfieldChittenden
People
Population
508Lowest
9,084Highest
1,318
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
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%
18.6%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.8%±2.5
VT: 17.9%
Springfield 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%
23.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
21.8%±4Lowest
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%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
51.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
3.8%±1.6
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$66,571±$13kLowest
18% 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
$192,400±$20kLowest
39% 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 —
$963±$100Lowest
22% below VT
$1,125±$488Highest
9% below VT
Chittenden and Springfield 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
$4,807Lowest
5% below VT
$5,346Highest
6% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6
VT: 48.4%
14.8%±55.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Springfield 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%
14.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
93.5%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
27 min
16% above VT
28 minHighest
21% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5
VT: 16.9%
15%±3.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Springfield 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 Barstow Unified Union School District #49
High school in town None in town Springfield High School None in town
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.