Compare towns

Ripton vs Topsham vs Washington

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%).
Topsham has the most kids (18% under 18).
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).

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.

MeasureRiptonTopshamWashington
People
Population
508Lowest
999
1,056Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+2.2%
VT: +2.8%
-0.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2Lowest
11% above VT
50.1±5.9
16% above VT
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
Washington and Topsham 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%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
Topsham and Washington 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%
23.2%±4.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
28.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
31%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.7%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$72,308±$60k
11% below VT
$66,103±$8kLowest
19% below VT
Ripton and Topsham 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
$222,900±$56k
30% below VT
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$908±$398Lowest
26% below VT
$996±$285Highest
19% below VT
Washington and Topsham 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
$4,006
21% below VT
$3,485Lowest
31% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
91.9%±28.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
34.5%±63.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Topsham and Ripton 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%
18.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
90.3%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
35 minHighest
49% above VT
31 min
31% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.2%±5.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Waits River Union High District #36 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
High school in town None 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.