Compare towns

Bakersfield vs Belvidere vs Middlesex

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bakersfield has the oldest population (median age 46.4).
Belvidere has the most affordable homes ($239k median).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).

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.

MeasureBakersfieldBelvidereMiddlesex
People
Population
1,109
422Lowest
1,943Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.4±8Highest
8% above VT
40.7±6.5Lowest
6% below VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
Bakersfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.6%±3.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22%±4Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
Belvidere and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
8.8%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
Bakersfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.2%
VT: 43.8%
35.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.4%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
Bakersfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$83,462±$18k
about the VT average
$81,563±$18kLowest
about the VT average
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
Middlesex and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,300±$19k
14% below VT
$239,200±$51kLowest
24% below VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,200±$327Lowest
about the VT average
$1,542±$1kHighest
25% above VT
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
Belvidere and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,823Lowest
24% below VT
$3,908
22% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
18.8%±100
VT: 48.4%
66.7%±53.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Belvidere and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94%
VT: 73.2%
86.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Lowest
6 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 min
40% above VT
38 minHighest
60% above VT
27 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
14.2%±7
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±7.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school 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.