Compare towns
Berlin vs Cornwall vs Strafford vs Worcester
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 shortest commute (21 min average).
Cornwall has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Strafford has the most kids (23% under 18).
Worcester has the youngest population (median age 47).
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 | Cornwall | Strafford | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,208 |
1,372 |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+1.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
50.4±4.6 17% above VT |
51.4±4.7Highest 19% above VT |
47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
| Strafford and Berlin 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% |
18.7%±3 VT: 17.9% |
23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Cornwall 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% |
25.7%±6.1 VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and Cornwall 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% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53.3% VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
3.7%±3.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$114,583±$32kHighest 41% above VT |
$110,833±$19k 36% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
| Cornwall and Strafford 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 |
$458,000±$49kHighest 45% above VT |
$431,300±$40k 36% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
| Cornwall and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
$1,125±$206 9% below VT |
$1,125±$789 9% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
| Berlin and Cornwall are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,726 33% above VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
61.9%±65.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Cornwall and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
0.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.2% VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
94.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
23 min about the VT average |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
24.4%±6.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Cornwall and Worcester 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 | — | — | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Strafford 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 |
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.