Compare towns
Berlin vs Castleton vs Hampton vs Barre
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 kids (18.8% under 18).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Barre has grown the fastest since 2010 (0%).
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 | Hampton | Barre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,453 |
1,145Lowest |
8,005Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-8.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
0%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
38.3±4.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
43.1±14.7 11% above U.S. |
48.4±4.2 24% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±6.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.9%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.6%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Castleton and Berlin 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% |
20.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.7%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Barre 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% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
15.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
39.2%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% |
3.2%±3.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above U.S. |
$73,854±$23k 9% below U.S. |
$73,796±$8kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$93,210±$9kHighest 15% above U.S. |
| Barre 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. |
$224,800±$71k 32% below U.S. |
$166,800±$10kLowest 50% below U.S. |
$281,400±$13kHighest 15% below U.S. |
| Barre and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,137±$195Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$1,264±$375 11% below U.S. |
$1,524±$399Highest 8% above U.S. |
| Barre and Hampton 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. |
$3,167 about the U.S. average |
$3,007Lowest 4% below U.S. |
$4,737Highest 52% 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% |
13.2%±25.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.4%±20.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Castleton and Barre 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% U.S.: 12.5% |
16.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79% U.S.: 65.2% |
78.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1987Highest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 20% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 27% below U.S. |
27 minHighest about the U.S. average |
23 min 15% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.8%±8.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.7%±4.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Barre and Berlin 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 | — | #19 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | Barre Unified Union School District #97 |
| 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 | 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.