Compare towns

Washington vs Ripton vs Worcester vs Orange

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 most kids (16.5% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Worcester has the most people working from home (23.6%).

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.

MeasureWashingtonRiptonWorcesterOrange
People
Population
1,056Highest
508Lowest
831
957
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
47±2.7Lowest
9% above VT
50.3±5.3
17% above VT
Washington and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.5%±4.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
Washington and Orange 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%
19.5%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
19.4%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31%
VT: 43.8%
48%
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,103±$8kLowest
19% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$73,833±$18k
9% below VT
$71,302±$13k
12% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$37kLowest
31% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$271,100±$27k
14% below VT
$222,000±$22k
30% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$996±$285Lowest
19% below VT
—
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$1,330±$153Highest
8% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485Lowest
31% below VT
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$4,421
12% below VT
$3,545
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
0%±87Lowest
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%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
7.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.8%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1976
same as VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
31% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
29 min
22% above VT
28 min
19% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±4.3Lowest
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 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
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.