Compare towns

Troy vs Ripton vs Worcester vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Troy has the most affordable homes ($233k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% 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.

MeasureTroyRiptonWorcesterSheldon
People
Population
1,749
508Lowest
831
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.6%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.5±5.7
3% above VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
47±2.7
9% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Ripton and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.4%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
17.7%±3
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
20.2%
VT: 43.8%
48%
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±1.4
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,938±$11k
8% above VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$78,533±$25k
3% below VT
Ripton and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$233,200±$21kLowest
26% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$271,100±$27k
14% below VT
$272,400±$61k
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$646±$323Lowest
48% below VT
—
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$1,286±$379Highest
4% above VT
Sheldon and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,644
28% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$4,421
12% below VT
$3,578Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.8%±26.3
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.6%
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1976
same as VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
24 minLowest
about the VT average
29 minHighest
22% above VT
25 min
7% above VT
Work from home
7.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Troy School District Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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.