Compare towns

Berlin vs Dummerston vs Franklin

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).
Dummerston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Franklin has the most renters (25.3% rent).

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.

MeasureBerlinDummerstonFranklin
People
Population
2,880Highest
2,090
1,590Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
17% above VT
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Berlin and Dummerston 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%
21.7%±6
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Dummerston 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%
24.3%±3
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Berlin and Dummerston 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%
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Franklin 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
$101,696±$21kHighest
25% above VT
$79,917±$21kLowest
about the VT average
Dummerston 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
$335,300±$22kHighest
6% above VT
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
5% below VT
$1,392±$126Highest
13% above VT
$891±$266Lowest
28% below VT
Dummerston 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
$4,536Highest
10% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Dummerston 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%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
10% below VT
21 minLowest
11% below VT
25 minHighest
8% above VT
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
Dummerston and Franklin 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 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.