Compare towns

Sharon vs Danby vs Ripton vs Barnet

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sharon has the youngest population (median age 45.6).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Barnet has the most affordable homes ($248k 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.

MeasureSharonDanbyRiptonBarnet
People
Population
1,577
1,133
508Lowest
1,855Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.9%
VT: +2.8%
-2.1%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.6±7.7Lowest
6% above VT
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
47.7±5.3
11% above VT
Danby and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21%±5
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.6%±4.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Barnet and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.1%±3.6
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±2.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
28.8%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.9%
VT: 43.8%
34.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.6%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.5%±0.9
VT: 7%
2.5%±1.9
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
1%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,375±$17k
4% above VT
$77,321±$13k
5% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$67,386±$15kLowest
17% below VT
Ripton and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$346,700±$37k
10% above VT
$272,400±$41k
14% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$247,900±$24kLowest
22% below VT
Ripton and Sharon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,386±$155Highest
12% above VT
$794±$166Lowest
36% below VT
—
$974±$72
21% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,903Highest
17% above VT
$4,543
10% below VT
$4,915
about the VT average
$4,489Lowest
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
19.8%±17.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
41.4%±34.6
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
59.3%±29.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Barnet and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89.3%
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
79.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1974
2 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
12% above VT
30 minHighest
26% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
12.7%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.3%±4.5
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Sharon School District Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
High school in town None 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.