Compare towns
Washington vs Ripton vs Westminster vs Wheelock
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% under 18).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).
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 | Washington | Ripton | Westminster | Wheelock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,056Highest |
508 |
497Lowest |
717 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | -6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
43.3±11.5Lowest about the VT average |
51±5.6 18% above VT |
| Washington and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±11.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.4%±4.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.4% VT: 43.8% |
34.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $66,103±$8k 19% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$81,000±$22k about the VT average |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
| Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37k 31% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$313,600±$39k about the VT average |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
| Ripton and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Highest 19% below VT |
— | $749±$315Lowest 39% below VT |
— |
| Washington and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485 31% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,480 11% below VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.2% VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4% VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 31% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
30 min 26% above VT |
28 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
21.1%±16 VT: 16.9% |
| Westminster and Wheelock 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 | — | — | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | — | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.