Compare towns
Berlin vs Calais vs Middlesex vs Rupert
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 most affordable homes ($274k median).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
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 | Berlin | Calais | Middlesex | Rupert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,713 |
1,943 |
676Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+3.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-2.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
42±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
| Rupert and Berlin 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% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
13.9%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Calais 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% |
21.6%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
30.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Calais 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±$21kLowest 7% above VT |
$100,625±$27k 24% above VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$88,229±$36k 9% above VT |
| Middlesex and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31kLowest 14% below VT |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$362,500±$63k 14% above VT |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Lowest 5% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
— |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$4,594 9% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
| Calais 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% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.4% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
93.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Calais 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 | — | — | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | 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 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.