Compare towns

White River Junction vs Ripton vs Johnson

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

White River Junction has the shortest commute (15 min average).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Johnson has the most affordable homes ($169k 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.

MeasureWhite River JunctionRiptonJohnson
People
Population
3,364
508Lowest
3,450Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+10.8%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
33.7±3.2
22% below VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
30.9±6.5Lowest
28% below VT
Ripton and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.1%±5
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22.7%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Johnson and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
12.5%±3.6
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
10.8%±3.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.9%
VT: 43.8%
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.2%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
14.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Ripton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,168±$4k
5% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$55,346±$14kLowest
32% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$278,800±$78k
12% below VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$169,400±$62kLowest
46% below VT
Ripton and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,222±$216Highest
about the VT average
—
$948±$45Lowest
23% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,651Highest
12% above VT
$4,915
about the VT average
$3,310Lowest
34% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
42.9%±17.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
51.6%±20.8
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Johnson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.1%
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
58.4%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
13 yrs older than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
15 minLowest
35% below VT
24 min
about the VT average
33 minHighest
42% above VT
Work from home
15.7%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
8.8%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Ripton and White River Junction 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 — — #57 of 70 in VT
School district — Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A
High school in town — None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.