Compare towns

Springfield vs Barton vs St. Johnsbury

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Springfield has the highest household income ($67k).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
St. Johnsbury has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureSpringfieldBartonSt. Johnsbury
People
Population
9,084Highest
730Lowest
7,368
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.3%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.2±3.7Highest
about the VT average
40±5.5Lowest
7% below VT
42.8±3.8
about the VT average
Springfield and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24.1%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
21%±2.9
VT: 17.9%
Barton and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.6%±3.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.2%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
21.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Springfield and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.3%
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
30.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
1.9%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
5.6%±2.2Highest
VT: 7%
St. Johnsbury and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,571±$13kHighest
18% below VT
$40,833±$8kLowest
50% below VT
$57,738±$9k
29% below VT
Springfield and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$192,400±$20kHighest
39% below VT
$146,900±$30kLowest
54% below VT
$177,700±$17k
44% below VT
Springfield and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$963±$100Highest
22% below VT
$761±$150Lowest
38% below VT
$914±$44
26% below VT
Springfield and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,807Highest
5% below VT
$3,185Lowest
37% below VT
$3,916
22% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.6%±15.6
VT: 48.4%
58.8%±18.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
48%±11Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Barton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
25.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
16.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
67.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
52.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
59.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958Highest
18 yrs older than VT
1945
31 yrs older than VT
1944Lowest
32 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
16% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
20 minLowest
17% below VT
Work from home
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.5%±10.4
VT: 16.9%
17.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
St. Johnsbury and Barton 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 #64 of 70 in VT #38 of 70 in VT #60 of 70 in VT
School district River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District — —
High school in town Springfield High School — —
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.