Compare towns
Berlin vs Northbridge vs Waterford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 48.7).
Northbridge has the most expensive homes ($449k median).
Waterford has the most affordable homes ($356k median).
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 | Berlin | Northbridge | Waterford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 20,361Highest |
16,458Lowest |
19,673 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +4% U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 48.7±3Highest 25% above U.S. |
43.8±2.6Lowest 13% above U.S. |
46±2.4 18% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Waterford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.4%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
21.1%±2.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
19.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Northbridge and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 23.5%±3.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16.4%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.6%±2.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Waterford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
36.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.2%±1.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.3%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.6%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Berlin and Waterford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $113,598±$11kHighest 41% above U.S. |
$111,319±$19k 38% above U.S. |
$104,820±$9kLowest 30% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $374,600±$13k 13% above U.S. |
$448,600±$15kHighest 35% above U.S. |
$355,900±$14kLowest 7% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,402±$88 about the U.S. average |
$1,207±$102Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,651±$153Highest 17% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,291Highest 134% above U.S. |
$4,821Lowest 55% above U.S. |
$4,876 56% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.4%±11.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.2%±9.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.4%±12Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Northbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
70.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1973Highest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
22 min 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.4%±4.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.2%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Northbridge and Berlin 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 | #73 of 149 in CT | #226 of 282 in MA | #80 of 149 in CT |
| School district | Berlin School District | Northbridge | Learn · Waterford School District |
| High school in town | Berlin High School | Northbridge High | Waterford High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.5Highest |
10.8Lowest |
11.1 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.