Compare towns
Berlin vs Barnard vs Pownal vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Barnard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Pownal has the most affordable homes ($257k 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.
| Measure | Berlin | Barnard | Pownal | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,211Lowest |
3,265Highest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+4.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
42.4±6Lowest about the VT average |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
26.9%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Barnard and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
22%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Pownal and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5% VT: 43.8% |
55.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.8 VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$97,581±$19k 20% above VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Middlesex and Barnard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31k 14% below VT |
$402,600±$71kHighest 27% above VT |
$256,600±$32kLowest 19% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
| Barnard and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,372±$80Highest 11% above VT |
$944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
| Barnard and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418 12% below VT |
$6,038 20% above VT |
$3,560Lowest 29% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
27%±19.8 VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Pownal and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.6% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
29 minHighest 21% above VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
19.3%±10.8 VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Barnard 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 | #16 of 70 in VT | — | #67 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.