Compare towns
Bakersfield vs Groton 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).
Groton has the most affordable homes ($243k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Bakersfield | Groton | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,109 |
967Lowest |
1,943Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.4±8Highest 8% above VT |
45.7±5.8 6% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
| Bakersfield and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.6%±3.5 VT: 17.9% |
13.3%±2.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 21.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.5%±3Lowest 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% |
38.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
7.5%±5.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $83,462±$18k about the VT average |
$77,250±$14kLowest 5% below VT |
$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 |
$243,000±$70kLowest 23% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,200±$327 about the VT average |
$288±$151Lowest 77% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
| Middlesex and Bakersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,823 24% below VT |
$3,659Lowest 27% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 18.8%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
12.5%±72.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Bakersfield and Groton 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% |
6.8% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.4% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1981Lowest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 40% above VT |
30 min 29% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.2%±7 VT: 16.9% |
12.3%±7Lowest 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.