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Is Northfield a Good Place to Live? Northfield, Vermont: cost of living, crime, schools and rankings
Northfield ranks #412 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #68 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Vermont. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low unemployment (2.6%, #8 of 67), and trails on high poverty (17.4%, #183 of 234) and long commutes (25.6 min, #180 of 234).
Northfield by the numbers
The measures people check first, each with Northfield's rank among the tracked cities and the US figure (or the similar-size median where there is no national figure).
No crime figure is shown for Northfield: its police agency covers a much larger area. See Is Northfield safe?
What is the cost of living in Northfield?
Northfield's cost of living index is 96.4, 4% below the US level of 100 and #511 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $997/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $324,071, 19% below the typical Vermont home ($399,053).
| Measure | Northfield | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of living indexBEA Regional Price Parities, metro area · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size 94.3 · US 100 | 96.4#511 of 1,308 | 98 | 94.3 | 100 |
| Typical home valueZillow Home Value Index · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $325,401 · US $368,697 | $324,071#447 of 1,187 | $399,053 | $325,401 | $368,697 |
| Median home value (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $280,200 | $241,400#364 of 1,309 | — | $280,200 | — |
| Median rent (Census)Census ACS · rank 1 = cheapestSimilar-size $1,138/mo | $997/mo#209 of 1,309 | — | $1,138/mo | — |
| Home value to incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.7x | 4x#577 of 1,309 | — | 3.7x | — |
| Rent as a share of incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 19.3% | 19.7%#417 of 1,309 | — | 19.3% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. Zillow figures track homes and rentals on the market now; Census figures are survey medians of all homes and leases, so the two differ.
Northfield housing market · August
Typical home value is a monthly index of homes in the middle third of the market; the Census figures above are survey medians and will differ. Source in the data sources list below. Northfield is in the Barre, VT metro.
Vermont housing market →Is Northfield safe?
Northfield Police Department serves 5,916 people across a larger area than Northfield (population 3,766), so its rate is not a Northfield rate and we don't rank Northfield on safety. Vermont as a whole records 214 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What do people earn in Northfield?
The median household in Northfield earns $60,789, 27% below the US figure of $83,163 and 27% below Vermont ($82,730). Unemployment is 2.6% (US 4.3%). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Northfield | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median household incomeCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size $73,239 · US $83,163 | $60,789#1028 of 1,312 | $82,730 | $73,239 | $83,163 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 3.3% · US 4.3% | 2.6%#33 of 1,058 | 2.7% | 3.3% | 4.3% |
| Poverty rateCensus ACS · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 11.4% | 17.4%#1006 of 1,312 | — | 11.4% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure.
Who lives in Northfield?
The median resident of Northfield is 30.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 30.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #768 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 56.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
| Measure | Northfield | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median ageCensus ACSSimilar-size 38.6 | 30.1 | 38.6 | — |
| Adults with a bachelor's degree or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = highestSimilar-size 29.2% | 30.6%#768 of 1,312 | 29.2% | — |
| Homes lived in by their ownerCensus ACSSimilar-size 65.1% | 56.6% | 65.1% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
How are Northfield's schools and health?
We have too few school records for Northfield to describe its public schools. 23.8% of adults are obese and 6.4% have diabetes, against similar-size city medians of 34.5% and 10.7%.
| Measure | Northfield | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesityCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 34.5% | 23.8%#97 of 1,311 | 34.5% | — |
| Adult diabetesCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 10.7% | 6.4%#31 of 1,311 | 10.7% | — |
| Adults with frequent mental distressCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 16.8% | 19.6%#1122 of 1,311 | 16.8% | — |
| Adults without health insuranceCDC PLACES · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 8.6% | 6.9%#243 of 1,311 | 8.6% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure.
What are the commute and weather like in Northfield?
The average commute in Northfield is 25.6 minutes (Vermont 23.9); 0.6% of workers take transit and 10.8% work from home. On the EPA's walkability index Northfield scores 13.5 of 20 (above average walkable), #243 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). Summers average 64.4°F and winters 19.6°F, with 38.7 inches of precipitation a year.
| Measure | Northfield | VermontVT | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average commuteCensus ACS · rank 1 = shortestSimilar-size 20.4 min | 25.6 min#821 of 1,312 | 23.9 min | 20.4 min | — |
| Commutes of an hour or moreCensus ACS · rank 1 = fewestSimilar-size 4.8% | 8.8%#980 of 1,312 | 6.4% | 4.8% | — |
| Drive alone to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 75% | 74.1% | 67.9% | 75% | — |
| Take transit to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0.3% | 0.6% | 1.4% | 0.3% | — |
| Walk to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 2% | 8.9% | 5.3% | 2% | — |
| Bike to workCensus ACSSimilar-size 0% | 0% | 0.5% | 0% | — |
| Work from homeCensus ACSSimilar-size 9.5% | 10.8% | 16% | 9.5% | — |
| Walkability index (1 to 20)EPA National Walkability Index · rank 1 = most walkableSimilar-size 8.8 | 13.5#243 of 1,312 | — | 8.8 | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). Vermont is the statewide figure. — means our sources have no statewide or national figure for that measure. The walkability index is the EPA's, averaged over the city's neighborhoods by population.
| Month | Average high (°F) | Average low (°F) | Precipitation (inches) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 25.8 | 7.4 | 2.3 |
| Feb | 28.9 | 8.9 | 2.1 |
| Mar | 37.6 | 18.1 | 2.5 |
| Apr | 51.5 | 30.3 | 3 |
| May | 65 | 41.7 | 3.5 |
| Jun | 73.2 | 50.5 | 4.2 |
| Jul | 77.6 | 55.5 | 4.3 |
| Aug | 76.1 | 53.7 | 3.8 |
| Sep | 68.6 | 46.3 | 3.3 |
| Oct | 55.3 | 35.7 | 3.9 |
| Nov | 42.8 | 26 | 2.9 |
| Dec | 31.3 | 15.1 | 2.9 |
Top: average low to average high, °F. Bottom: precipitation, inches. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Montpelier Airport.
| Measure | Northfield | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average temperatureNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 47.7°F | 42.6°F | 47.7°F | — |
| Summer average (Jun–Aug)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 69.6°F | 64.4°F | 69.6°F | — |
| Winter average (Dec–Feb)NOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 26.8°F | 19.6°F | 26.8°F | — |
| Precipitation a yearNOAA climate normalsSimilar-size 36.5 in | 38.7 in | 36.5 in | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. NOAA 30-year climate normals at Montpelier Airport.
What are the air quality and natural hazard risks in Northfield?
The EPA has no air-quality monitor in Northfield's county, so we have no air reading for it. Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Washington County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 55% of US counties.
| Measure | Northfield | Similar-size cities | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yearly hazard losses, share of building value (county)FEMA National Risk Index · rank 1 = lowestSimilar-size 0.14% | 0.14%#629 of 1,312 | 0.14% | — |
Rank is among the tracked cities with data for that measure. Similar-size cities are the 234 places under 25,000 people we track (median). — means our sources have no national figure for that measure. County figures for Washington County: the EPA measures air at monitors and FEMA estimates hazard losses by county, not by city.
Natural hazard losses, Washington County
| Hazard | Yearly loss | Higher than |
|---|---|---|
| Inland flooding | 0.12% | 80% of counties |
| Hurricane | 0.0037% | 63% of counties |
| Earthquake | 0.0024% | 45% of counties |
FEMA National Risk Index: expected yearly building losses from each hazard as a share of the county's building value, compared with every US county exposed to that hazard. Loss rates, unlike FEMA's risk ratings, do not rise just because a county has more property.
How does Northfield compare with similar-size cities?
Northfield is one of 234 places under 25,000 people we track and ranks #68 of them on overall score. The table sets it beside the 8 cities in other states closest to its population of 3,766.
| City | Rank | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime | Commute |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northfield, VTPop. 3,766 | #412 | 59.9 | $60,789 | $997/mo | county/metro | 25.6 min |
| Caribou, MEPop. 7,382 | #615 | 56.5 | $53,709 | $757/mo | 82 | 14.7 min |
| Elsmere, DEPop. 6,203 | #971 | 50.6 | $67,944 | $1,339/mo | 144 | 24.4 min |
| Lewistown, MTPop. 6,087 | #1094 | 48.0 | $48,750 | $1,007/mo | 639 | 12.7 min |
| Chena Ridge, AKPop. 5,881 | #186 | 64.9 | $133,775 | $1,110/mo | no data | 20.9 min |
| Buffalo, WYPop. 4,572 | #595 | 56.8 | $62,629 | $1,019/mo | 106 | 12.9 min |
| Pascoag, RIPop. 4,410 | #422 | 59.7 | $121,369 | $1,319/mo | no data | 35.4 min |
| Grafton, NDPop. 4,102 | #704 | 54.9 | $62,679 | $733/mo | 200 | 15.6 min |
| Dakota Dunes, SDPop. 3,936 | #93 | 68.7 | $136,125 | $1,225/mo | no data | 12.1 min |
Rank is overall rank of 1,312. Income is median household income; rent is Census median rent; violent crime is per 100,000 residents as reported to the FBI ("no data" and "incomplete" are explained on each city's page).
How does Northfield compare with the rest of Vermont?
Northfield ranks #13 of the 20 Vermont cities we track, with a score of 59.9 against Vermont's statewide 74. Its households earn 27% below the Vermont median. Homes are 19% below the typical Vermont home.
| City | Rank in VT | Score | Income | Rent | Violent crime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury, VTPop. 7,220 | #1 | 76.4 | $86,250 | $1,201/mo | 54 |
| Shelburne, VTPop. 6,499 | #2 | 76.0 | $109,583 | $1,439/mo | 61 |
| Essex Junction, VTPop. 10,803 | #3 | 70.9 | $89,257 | $1,544/mo | no data |
| Montpelier, VTPop. 8,014 | #4 | 69.9 | $81,030 | $1,302/mo | 343 |
| South Burlington, VTPop. 20,756 | #5 | 69.6 | $106,667 | $1,787/mo | 231 |
| Winooski, VTPop. 8,293 | #6 | 69.2 | $79,522 | $1,643/mo | 272 |
| Milton, VTPop. 3,555 | #7 | 67.5 | $77,550 | $1,471/mo | county/metro |
| White River Junction, VTPop. 3,364 | #8 | 65.5 | $77,168 | $1,222/mo | no data |
| Burlington, VTPop. 44,675 | #9 | 64.4 | $71,109 | $1,649/mo | 483 |
| Brattleboro, VTPop. 7,657 | #10 | 62.6 | $52,734 | $1,113/mo | county/metro |
| St. Johnsbury, VTPop. 5,859 | #11 | 61.3 | $53,711 | $912/mo | 203 |
| Springfield, VTPop. 4,237 | #12 | 60.2 | $46,760 | $818/mo | county/metro |
| Northfield, VTPop. 3,766 | #13 | 59.9 | $60,789 | $997/mo | county/metro |
| Rutland, VTPop. 15,712 | #14 | 57.9 | $57,675 | $995/mo | 464 |
| Bennington, VTPop. 9,245 | #15 | 56.7 | $54,257 | $1,115/mo | county/metro |
| Wilder, VTPop. 3,087 | #16 | 55.6 | $75,143 | $1,142/mo | no data |
| St. Albans, VTPop. 6,954 | #17 | 53.1 | $57,980 | $1,150/mo | 735 |
| Barre, VTPop. 8,412 | #18 | 52.5 | $65,625 | $1,093/mo | 533 |
| Bellows Falls, VTPop. 2,891 | #19 | 52.2 | $56,086 | $1,038/mo | 110 |
| Newport, VTPop. 4,394 | #20 | 51.8 | $54,646 | $850/mo | 395 |
All 20 Vermont cities we track, by overall score. Vermont statewide: median income $82,730, violent crime 214.4 per 100,000.
How is Northfield's score calculated?
Northfield scores 59.9 out of 100, #412 of 1,312 (grade B+, which follows rank). It is scored on the 7 of 11 categories with local data; safety, education, growth, and outdoor access are left out rather than filled with Vermont's statewide figure, and the other weights are scaled up to fill the gap. Each score is compared with the median of similar-size cities, which are scored the same way.
- EconomyCity data · 24% of score
Median household income and unemployment in Northfield. Similar-size median 41.9.
54.7 - HealthCity data · 19% of score
Adult obesity, diabetes and frequent mental distress in Northfield. Similar-size median 56.5.
72.9 - AffordabilityCity data · 16% of score
Northfield's home values and rents and its metro area's price level. Similar-size median 74.8.
77.6 - Household financesCity data · 13% of score
Median household income and poverty rate in Northfield. Similar-size median 50.8.
34.5 - TransportationCity data · 11% of score
Commute time, long commutes, driving alone, transit, walking, cycling and working from home in Northfield. Similar-size median 48.3.
49.1 - WalkabilityCity data · 11% of score
The EPA's walkability index across Northfield's neighborhoods. Similar-size median 41.1.
65.8 - EnvironmentCity data, some inputs missing · 6% of score
Air quality and natural hazard losses in the county. One input is missing, so the score uses the others. Similar-size median 59.2.
55.0 - SafetyNot scored
Northfield's police agency covers a much larger area, so its rate is not a Northfield rate.
— - EducationNot scored
Too few school records for Northfield.
— - GrowthNot scored
The Census does not estimate yearly population for Northfield.
— - Outdoor accessNot scored
No city-level park or public land measure exists, so outdoor access is not scored for cities.
—
Bar: Northfield's category score out of 100. Tick: median of the 234 places under 25,000 people we track. Shares of score are the category weights rescaled over the categories Northfield has data for. City scores use city formulas and are not on the same scale as state scores. Grades follow rank among the 1,312 cities. Methodology
Frequently asked questions about living in Northfield
Is Northfield, VT a good place to live?
Northfield ranks #412 of the 1,312 US cities we track, #68 of 234 towns and #13 of 20 in Vermont. Against similar-size cities it stands out for low unemployment (2.6%, #8 of 67), and trails on high poverty (17.4%, #183 of 234) and long commutes (25.6 min, #180 of 234).
What is the cost of living in Northfield?
Northfield's cost of living index is 96.4, 4% below the US level of 100 and #511 of 1,308 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent is $997/mo against $1,138/mo in similar-size cities. The typical home is worth $324,071, 19% below the typical Vermont home ($399,053).
Is Northfield safe?
Northfield Police Department serves 5,916 people across a larger area than Northfield (population 3,766), so its rate is not a Northfield rate and we don't rank Northfield on safety. Vermont as a whole records 214 violent crimes per 100,000 residents against 328 nationally.
What is the median household income in Northfield?
The median household in Northfield earns $60,789, 27% below the US figure of $83,163 and 27% below Vermont ($82,730). Unemployment is 2.6% (US 4.3%). 17.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
How much is rent in Northfield?
Median rent in Northfield is $997/mo (Census), #209 of 1,309 cities with data (1 = cheapest). Median rent takes 19.7% of the median household's income.
How much does a house cost in Northfield?
The typical home value in Northfield is $324,071, up 0.5% in a year, against $399,053 for Vermont and $368,697 nationally. The Census median value of owner-occupied homes is $241,400.
How are the public schools in Northfield?
We have too few school records for Northfield to describe its public schools.
How long is the commute in Northfield?
The average commute is 25.6 minutes, #821 of 1,312 cities (1 = shortest), against 23.9 minutes across Vermont. 8.8% of workers spend an hour or more getting to work.
What is the weather like in Northfield?
Northfield averages 42.6°F over the year, 64.4°F in summer and 19.6°F in winter, with 38.7 inches of precipitation. Figures are NOAA climate normals.
Is Northfield walkable?
Northfield scores 13.5 out of 20 on the EPA's National Walkability Index (above average walkable), #243 of 1,312 cities (1 = most walkable). The index weighs street intersection density, distance to transit and the mix of homes and jobs in each neighborhood.
What natural disasters is Northfield at risk for?
Relative to other US counties, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Washington County's biggest natural hazard losses in inland flooding, hurricane, and earthquake, with expected yearly losses of 0.14% of building value, lower than 55% of US counties.
Who lives in Northfield?
Northfield has 3,766 residents. The median resident of Northfield is 30.1 years old, against 38.6 in similar-size cities. 30.6% of adults have a bachelor's degree or more, #768 of 1,312 cities (1 = highest). 56.6% of occupied homes are lived in by their owners; the rest are rented.
How does Northfield compare with the rest of Vermont?
Northfield ranks #13 of the 20 Vermont cities we track, with a score of 59.9 against Vermont's statewide 74. Its households earn 27% below the Vermont median. Homes are 19% below the typical Vermont home.
What cities are similar in size to Northfield?
The tracked cities in other states closest to Northfield's population of 3,766 are Caribou, ME (#615 overall), Elsmere, DE (#971 overall), Lewistown, MT (#1094 overall), Chena Ridge, AK (#186 overall), and Buffalo, WY (#595 overall). Northfield is #412.