Compare towns
Rupert vs Topsham vs Pawlet
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Topsham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.8%).
Pawlet has the most affordable homes ($266k 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.
| Measure | Rupert | Topsham | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 676Lowest |
9,706Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+8.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 49% above U.S. |
44.7±4Lowest 15% above U.S. |
47.9±7.5 23% above U.S. |
| Rupert and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
19.9%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
20.3%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Pawlet and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
50%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.9%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Topsham and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36k 9% above U.S. |
$91,028±$10kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Topsham and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63kHighest 9% above U.S. |
$360,800±$20k 8% above U.S. |
$266,200±$44kLowest 20% below U.S. |
| Rupert and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,355±$642Highest 4% below U.S. |
$1,153±$215Lowest 18% below U.S. |
| Topsham and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594Highest 47% above U.S. |
$4,259 37% above U.S. |
$3,924Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
40.3%±12.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
42.6%±21.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Pawlet and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
10%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
78.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
1964 16 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the U.S. average |
24 minLowest 11% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
17.2%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.4%±8.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Pawlet and Rupert 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 | — | #66 of 133 in ME | — |
| School district | — | RSU 75/MSAD 75 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| High school in town | — | Mt Ararat High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.2 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.