Compare towns
Worcester vs Ripton vs Westminster vs Elmore
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 the most expensive homes ($394k median).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% under 18).
Elmore has the most homeowners (92.8%).
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.
| Measure | Worcester | Ripton | Westminster | Elmore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 831 |
508 |
497Lowest |
964Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | +3.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7 9% above VT |
47.7±14.2Highest 11% above VT |
43.3±11.5Lowest about the VT average |
45±3.5 4% above 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% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
23.4%±9.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Elmore are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±11.4 VT: 21.4% |
14.6%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Westminster 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% |
45.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
47.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5 VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$81,000±$22k about the VT average |
$98,750±$24k 22% above VT |
| Ripton and Elmore 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 |
$313,600±$39k about the VT average |
$315,800±$47k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Elmore are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$136 17% below VT |
— | $749±$315Lowest 39% below VT |
$1,225±$263Highest about the VT average |
| Elmore 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 |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$4,480 11% below VT |
$5,066Highest about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
31.8%±65.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton and Elmore 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% |
8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
3.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1978Highest 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 22% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
29 min 25% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9 VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester and Westminster 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 | — | — | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | — | Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District #90 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.