Compare towns

Berlin vs Brooks vs Middlesex

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 shortest commute (21 min average).
Brooks has the most affordable homes ($197k 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.

MeasureBerlinBrooksMiddlesex
People
Population
2,880Highest
1,208Lowest
1,943
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
45.9±6.6
18% above U.S.
44.4±3.9Lowest
14% above U.S.
Berlin and Brooks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Brooks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
17%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
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+
28.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
27.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.8%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Brooks and Middlesex 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 U.S.
$59,130±$10kLowest
27% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,600±$31k
18% below U.S.
$196,700±$33kLowest
41% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$1,116±$112Lowest
21% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418
42% above U.S.
$2,096Lowest
33% below U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
18%±17.3
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Berlin and Brooks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
19.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
74.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Lowest
1 yr older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
25 min
5% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.5%±2.9
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #16 of 70 in VT — —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 RSU 03/MSAD 03 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
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.