Compare towns
Ripton vs Waltham vs Berlin vs Lincoln
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).
Waltham has the oldest population (median age 60.8).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Lincoln has the youngest population (median age 45.7).
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.
| Measure | Ripton | Waltham | Berlin | Lincoln |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 508 |
452Lowest |
2,880Highest |
1,394 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | -1.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
60.8±7.3Highest 41% above VT |
50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
45.7±3.6Lowest 6% above VT |
| Kids under 18 | 11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±7.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.6%±4.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Berlin and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 30.5%±7.1 VT: 21.4% |
45.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.8%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
22.3%±3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
39% VT: 43.8% |
28.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
43.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.1 VT: 7% |
3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.9%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$97,500±$14k 20% above VT |
$86,691±$21kLowest 7% above VT |
$96,667±$18k 19% above VT |
| Ripton and Waltham 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 |
$329,700±$51k 4% above VT |
$273,600±$31kLowest 14% below VT |
$365,200±$30k 15% above VT |
| Ripton and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,096±$113 11% below VT |
$1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
$870±$47Lowest 29% below VT |
| Berlin and Waltham 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 |
$5,714 13% above VT |
$4,418Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,100Highest 21% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
29.2%±58.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
49.1%±25.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Lincoln 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% |
5.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.9% VT: 73.2% |
88.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min about the VT average |
28 min 18% above VT |
21 minLowest 10% below VT |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
20.6%±5.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.8%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Waltham and Lincoln 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 | — | — | #16 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Lincoln Town School District |
| 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 | 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.