Compare towns

Springfield vs Reading vs Newport

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 youngest population (median age 43.2).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Newport has the shortest commute (15 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.

MeasureSpringfieldReadingNewport
People
Population
9,084Highest
699Lowest
4,394
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.9%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
51.1±7.6Highest
19% above VT
46.4±4.3
8% above VT
Reading and Newport are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.6%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
13.2%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Springfield and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.6%±3.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.2%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
25.8%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
Reading and Newport are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±1.5
VT: 7%
Reading and Newport are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,571±$13k
18% below VT
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$54,646±$12kLowest
33% below VT
Reading and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$192,400±$20k
39% below VT
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$179,400±$11kLowest
43% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$963±$100
22% below VT
$1,100±$331Highest
11% below VT
$850±$49Lowest
31% below VT
Reading and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,807
5% below VT
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$4,036Lowest
20% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.6%±15.6
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
48.2%±15.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
14.8%
VT: 10.1%
8.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
23%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
67.7%
VT: 73.2%
84.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
57.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1969Highest
7 yrs older than VT
1966
10 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
16% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
15 minLowest
38% below VT
Work from home
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.8%±8.3
VT: 16.9%
Reading and Newport 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 — #63 of 70 in VT
School district River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Newport City School District · North Country Union High School District
High school in town Springfield High School None in town North Country Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school
14.3Highest
—
10.7Lowest
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.