Compare towns
Berlin vs Castleton vs Middlesex vs Waterville
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).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Waterville has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Middlesex | Waterville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,453Highest |
1,943 |
680Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
49.1±8.2 14% above VT |
| Berlin and Waterville 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% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±8.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Waterville 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%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
14.4%±3.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| 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 VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$71,250±$27kLowest 12% below VT |
| 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 14% below VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$236,300±$15k 25% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,110±$93Lowest 10% below VT |
| 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 12% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,957 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±27.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Waterville 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 10% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
38 minHighest 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.5%±3 VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #16 of 70 in VT | #39 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 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| 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 |
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.