Compare towns

Worcester vs Charlotte vs Ripton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Charlotte has the most expensive homes ($695k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).

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.

MeasureWorcesterCharlotteRipton
People
Population
831
3,916Highest
508Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+4.2%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7Lowest
9% above VT
52.2±5Highest
21% above VT
47.7±14.2
11% above VT
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
19.6%±4.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Charlotte and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.3%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Charlotte are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
VT: 43.8%
66.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
48%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
1.4%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$144,375±$27kHighest
78% above VT
$112,917±$15k
39% above VT
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$695,300±$53kHighest
120% above VT
$394,400±$61k
25% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% below VT
$1,738±$803Highest
41% above VT
—
Charlotte and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
$9,221Highest
83% above VT
$4,915
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
56.1%±28.6Highest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
Charlotte and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
3.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
95.5%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
same as VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
25 min
7% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
29.8%±8.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Charlotte and Worcester 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 — #3 of 70 in VT —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55
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

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.