Compare towns

Worcester vs Ripton vs Burke

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).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Burke has the most kids (23% under 18).

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.

MeasureWorcesterRiptonBurke
People
Population
831
508Lowest
1,317Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%
VT: +2.8%
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-5.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
47.7±14.2Highest
11% above VT
41.1±4.8Lowest
5% below VT
Ripton and Worcester 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%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.7%±2.2
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Burke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
48%
VT: 43.8%
41.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7
VT: 7%
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
3.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$87,143±$17k
7% above VT
Ripton and Burke 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
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$340,600±$18k
8% above VT
Ripton and Burke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Highest
17% below VT
—
$938±$191Lowest
24% below VT
Worcester and Burke 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
$4,915
about the VT average
$5,177Highest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
52.9%±100
VT: 48.4%
74.6%±31Highest
VT: 48.4%
Burke and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
10%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
88.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
same as VT
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
25 min
8% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
17.2%±8.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.4%±6.8
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and Burke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
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.