Compare towns
Berlin vs Castleton vs Dunbarton 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 oldest population (median age 50.6).
Castleton has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Dunbarton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
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 | Castleton | Dunbarton | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,453Highest |
3,097 |
1,943Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
38.3±4.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
48±3.7 23% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Dunbarton 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% |
18.8%±6.4 U.S.: 22% |
19.8%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Dunbarton 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% |
20.7%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.4%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
39.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
19.3%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above U.S. |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$124,348±$21kHighest 54% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
| Dunbarton and Middlesex 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. |
$224,800±$71kLowest 32% below U.S. |
$484,100±$33kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,137±$195Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,166±$70 17% 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. |
$3,167Lowest about the U.S. average |
$8,233Highest 164% above U.S. |
$6,483 108% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
67.7%±21.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.7%±60.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Castleton and Dunbarton 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% |
12.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1990Highest 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
1986 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 20% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 27% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 27% above U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Dunbarton 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 | #39 of 70 in VT | #33 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Dunbarton School District | 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 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.