Compare towns
Berlin vs Castleton vs East Montpelier
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).
Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
East Montpelier has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
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 | East Montpelier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,453Highest |
2,612Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
46.7±4 8% above VT |
| Berlin and East Montpelier are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
20.1%±4.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| East Montpelier and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and East Montpelier 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 VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
59.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
3.8%±2Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below VT |
$92,778±$21kHighest 14% above VT |
| East Montpelier 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 14% below VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$378,700±$32kHighest 20% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,137±$195Lowest 8% below VT |
$1,187±$131Highest 4% below VT |
| East Montpelier and Berlin 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 |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$5,868Highest 16% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
19.3%±13.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.9% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
82.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minHighest 10% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
20 min 17% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
21.2%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #16 of 70 in VT | #39 of 70 in VT | #15 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | U-32 Middle & High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.3 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.