Compare towns
Springfield vs Ripton vs Putney vs Swanton
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 most affordable homes ($192k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Swanton has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
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 | Springfield | Ripton | Putney | Swanton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 9,084Highest |
508Lowest |
2,622 |
6,820 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
+4.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.2±3.7 about the VT average |
47.7±14.2Highest 11% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
43.7±5.5 about the VT average |
| Ripton and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Swanton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 23.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±3.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Springfield 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% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
48.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
23.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3%±1.6 VT: 7% |
| Putney and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $66,571±$13kLowest 18% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$81,371±$14k about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $192,400±$20kLowest 39% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$285,100±$35k 10% below VT |
| Ripton and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $963±$100 22% below VT |
— | $508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,257±$133Highest about the VT average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,807 5% below VT |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$5,313Highest 5% above VT |
$4,449Lowest 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49.6%±15.6 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
32.7%±14.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Ripton 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% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
13% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 67.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
72.8% VT: 73.2% |
77.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1958Lowest 18 yrs older than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minHighest 16% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
23 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 15.1%±5.5 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
8.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Ripton and Putney 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT | #27 of 70 in VT |
| School district | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | Springfield High School | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 14.3 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.