Compare towns
Rupert vs Westford vs Pawlet
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Westford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
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 | Westford | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 676Lowest |
2,290Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% VT: +2.8% |
+1.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
44.1±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
47.9±7.5 11% above VT |
| 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 VT: 17.9% |
16.9%±4.6 VT: 17.9% |
20.3%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Pawlet and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
17.2%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
52.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
9.5%±4.6Highest VT: 7% |
4.4%±2.9 VT: 7% |
| Westford 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 VT |
$112,750±$12kHighest 39% above VT |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below VT |
| Westford 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±$63k 14% above VT |
$424,500±$21kHighest 34% above VT |
$266,200±$44kLowest 16% below VT |
| Westford and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $2,375±$1kHighest 92% above VT |
$1,153±$215Lowest 7% below VT |
| Westford and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 9% below VT |
$6,282Highest 25% above VT |
$3,924Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
29.8%±31 VT: 48.4% |
42.6%±21.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Pawlet and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
2.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1964 12 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 14% above VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
33 min 40% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
19.1%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
20.4%±8.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Pawlet and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | 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.