Compare towns
Waltham vs Worcester vs Rupert vs Ferrisburgh
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waltham has the oldest population (median age 60.8).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Rupert has the most homeowners (93.7%).
Ferrisburgh has the most kids (17.2% 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 | Waltham | Worcester | Rupert | Ferrisburgh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 452Lowest |
831 |
676 |
2,661Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -3.4% VT: +2.8% |
-2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 60.8±7.3Highest 41% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
57.8±9.7 34% above VT |
45.5±4.9Lowest 6% above VT |
| Waltham and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.8%±7.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
13.9%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
17.2%±4.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Ferrisburgh and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 45.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
42.3%±8.1 VT: 21.4% |
23.3%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Waltham and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 39% VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
51.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.1 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3%±2.8 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $97,500±$14k 20% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$88,229±$36k 9% above VT |
$106,989±$22kHighest 32% above VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $329,700±$51k 4% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$362,500±$63k 14% above VT |
$422,700±$35kHighest 34% above VT |
| Ferrisburgh and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$113 11% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
— | $1,435±$173Highest 16% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,714 13% above VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$4,594 9% below VT |
$6,120Highest 21% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 29.2%±58.6 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
20%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
57%±19.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Ferrisburgh and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.3% VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.3% VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1968 8 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 18% above VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
27 minLowest 14% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
| Work from home | 20.6%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2 VT: 16.9% |
14.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Waltham 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 | — | — | — | #7 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | — | Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 |
| High school 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.