Compare towns
Berkley vs Berlin vs Middlesex vs Halifax
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berkley has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Berlin has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Halifax has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
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 | Berkley | Berlin | Middlesex | Halifax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,829 |
2,880 |
1,943Lowest |
7,748Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.4±4.1 12% above U.S. |
50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
41.9±4.7Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.2%±5.4 U.S.: 22% |
16.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Halifax and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.2%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.8%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
28.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.9%±2.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $144,205±$49kHighest 79% above U.S. |
$86,691±$21kLowest 7% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
$118,556±$11k 47% above U.S. |
| Berkley and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $511,200±$45kHighest 54% above U.S. |
$273,600±$31kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
$481,500±$51k 45% above U.S. |
| Berkley and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,169±$171Lowest 17% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359 6% below U.S. |
$1,804±$375Highest 28% above U.S. |
| Halifax and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,018 93% above U.S. |
$4,418Lowest 42% above U.S. |
$6,483 108% above U.S. |
$6,840Highest 119% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.6%±37.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Halifax and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
2.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979Lowest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979Lowest 1 yr older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 4% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 34% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 13.1%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Halifax 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 | #155 of 282 in MA | #16 of 70 in VT | — | #120 of 282 in MA |
| School district | Berkley | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Halifax |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.