Compare towns

Ripton vs Stowe vs Highgate

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%).
Stowe has the most expensive homes ($648k median).
Highgate has the most affordable homes ($281k 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.

MeasureRiptonStoweHighgate
People
Population
508Lowest
5,285Highest
3,528
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+21.1%
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
46.3±7.6
7% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
Ripton and Stowe 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%
22.5%±4.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
Stowe 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%
25.8%±6.2
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Stowe 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%
66.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$93,618±$33k
15% above VT
$81,017±$14kLowest
about the VT average
Ripton and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,400±$61k
25% above VT
$647,800±$157kHighest
105% above VT
$280,500±$21kLowest
11% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,458±$242Highest
18% above VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
Stowe and Highgate 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
$7,161Highest
42% above VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
24.5%±15.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Highgate 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%
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 min
about the VT average
19 minLowest
18% below VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Stowe 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 — — #43 of 70 in VT
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Stowe Town School District Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town Stowe High School Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
11.3Highest
9.8Lowest
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.