Compare towns

Berlin vs Dummerston vs Middlesex vs Panton

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 most affordable homes ($274k median).
Dummerston has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Panton has the most expensive homes ($438k median).

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.

MeasureBerlinDummerstonMiddlesexPanton
People
Population
2,880Highest
2,090
1,943
690Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.6%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
17% above VT
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
42.7±3.8Lowest
about the VT average
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%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
24.9%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
Panton 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%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
16.7%±2.9Lowest
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%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
35.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.3
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
$101,696±$21k
25% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$86,667±$10kLowest
7% above VT
Middlesex and Dummerston 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
$335,300±$22k
6% above VT
$376,300±$40k
19% above VT
$438,000±$40kHighest
38% above VT
Panton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171Lowest
5% below VT
$1,392±$126
13% above VT
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
$1,410±$130Highest
14% above VT
Panton and Dummerston 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
$4,536
10% below VT
$6,483
29% above VT
$6,695Highest
33% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
61%±39Highest
VT: 48.4%
Panton 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%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%
VT: 10.1%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1974
2 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
10% below VT
21 minLowest
11% below VT
27 minHighest
17% above VT
26 min
11% above VT
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
26.7%±8.6
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Panton 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 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
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 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.