Compare towns
Berlin vs Dover vs Middlesex vs Newfane
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).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).
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 | Dover | Middlesex | Newfane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,466 |
1,943 |
1,456Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
53.5±8.3 24% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
54.4±3.9Highest 26% above VT |
| Newfane and Dover 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% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7 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% |
29.5%±6.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
| Dover and Newfane 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% |
48.9% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
46.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Berlin 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 |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$66,719±$21k 18% 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±$31kLowest 14% below VT |
$332,900±$55k 5% above VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
| Middlesex and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,266±$238 about the VT average |
| Middlesex and Newfane 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 |
$4,510 10% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$5,174 about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Newfane 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% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
81.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
27 min 13% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Middlesex 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 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A |
| 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.