Compare towns
Berlin vs Castleton vs Pownal vs Middlesex
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).
Pownal has the oldest housing (typical home built 1969).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Castleton | Pownal | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,453Highest |
3,265 |
1,943Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5% VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Berlin and Pownal 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% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Castleton 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% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Pownal and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5% VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
28.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above 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 |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above 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 |
$3,560 29% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Pownal 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% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.6% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 10% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Pownal 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 | #67 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 | 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 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.