Compare towns

Arlington vs Dummerston vs Middlesex vs Putney

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Arlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Dummerston has the oldest population (median age 45.6).
Middlesex has the most expensive homes ($376k median).
Putney has the most renters (27.2% rent).

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.

MeasureArlingtonDummerstonMiddlesexPutney
People
Population
2,598
2,090
1,943Lowest
2,622Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
37.6±4
13% below VT
45.6±11.7Highest
6% above VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.6%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
21.7%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.7%±3.2
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±3Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Dummerston and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.9%
VT: 43.8%
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
48.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±1.7
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$102,308±$11k
26% above VT
$101,696±$21k
25% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$79,706±$18kLowest
about the VT average
Middlesex and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,500±$59k
about the VT average
$335,300±$22k
6% above VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$300,000±$44kLowest
5% below VT
Middlesex and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,191±$172
3% below VT
$1,392±$126Highest
13% above VT
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,549
10% below VT
$4,536Lowest
10% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$5,313
5% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
77.1%±9.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
Arlington and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.5%
VT: 10.1%
4.5%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Lowest
10 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
13% below VT
21 min
11% below VT
27 minHighest
17% above VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
Work from home
35.9%±10.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Arlington and Middlesex 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 #50 of 70 in VT — — #32 of 70 in VT
School district Arlington School District Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
High school in town Arlington Memorial None in town None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
10.6
— — —
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.