Compare towns

Windham vs Jamaica vs Ripton vs Worcester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has the most kids (17.5% under 18).
Jamaica has the oldest population (median age 55.1).
Ripton has the highest household income ($113k).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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.

MeasureWindhamJamaicaRiptonWorcester
People
Population
594
882Highest
508Lowest
831
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-2.9%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.2±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
55.1±5.5Highest
28% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
47±2.7
9% above VT
Jamaica and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±7.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.7%±6.4
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
Windham and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.2%±8.1
VT: 21.4%
30%±8.6
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.1%
VT: 43.8%
48.7%
VT: 43.8%
48%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.9%±3.6
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,500±$12k
16% above VT
$79,219±$19k
about the VT average
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
Ripton and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$353,900±$20k
12% above VT
$347,800±$50k
10% above VT
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
Ripton and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$870±$464Lowest
29% below VT
—
$1,023±$136Highest
17% below VT
Worcester and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951Highest
18% above VT
$4,773
5% below VT
$4,915
about the VT average
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94
VT: 48.4%
7.1%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1976
same as VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1976
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
14% above VT
23 minLowest
4% below VT
24 min
about the VT average
29 minHighest
22% above VT
Work from home
20.5%±5.6
VT: 16.9%
23.2%±12.2
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — West River Valley Union Education District #72A Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school 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.