Compare towns

Salem vs Ripton vs Rupert

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Salem has the most affordable homes ($196k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).

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.

MeasureSalemRiptonRupert
People
Population
2,611Highest
508Lowest
676
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+25.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
47.5±4.2Lowest
22% above U.S.
47.7±14.2
23% above U.S.
57.8±9.7Highest
49% above U.S.
Rupert and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.2%±3.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
13.9%±3.7
U.S.: 22%
Salem and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.9%±5.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.5%±7.1
U.S.: 17.2%
42.3%±8.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Rupert and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
48%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
30.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
20.1%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.1%±2.5
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$83,398±$12kLowest
3% above U.S.
$112,917±$15kHighest
40% above U.S.
$88,229±$36k
9% above U.S.
Ripton and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,000±$26kLowest
41% below U.S.
$394,400±$61kHighest
19% above U.S.
$362,500±$63k
9% above U.S.
Ripton and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$948±$40
33% below U.S.
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,908Lowest
25% above U.S.
$4,915Highest
58% above U.S.
$4,594
47% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±7.1
U.S.: 51.1%
52.9%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
20%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Ripton and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
17.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
77.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
93.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1973Highest
7 yrs older than U.S.
1955
25 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
11% above U.S.
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
Work from home
22.8%±12.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.6%±9.2
U.S.: 15.1%
Salem 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 #376 of 484 in NY — —
School district SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 —
High school in town SALEM HIGH SCHOOL None in town —
Students per teacherat that high school
8.5
— —
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.