Compare towns
Berlin vs Derby vs Middlesex vs Chester
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).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Chester 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 | Derby | Middlesex | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
4,537Highest |
1,943Lowest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
49.7±4.7 15% above VT |
| Derby 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% |
15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Berlin 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% |
27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Derby 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% |
36.8% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
5.1%±4 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Chester 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 |
$80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% 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 |
$225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$960±$44Lowest 22% 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 |
$3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,262 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Berlin 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% |
7.4% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
32 minHighest 38% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Chester 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 | #52 of 70 in VT | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 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.