Compare towns

Berlin vs Epsom vs Pownal

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Epsom has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Pownal has the most people working from home (16.4%).

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.

MeasureBerlinEpsomPownal
People
Population
2,880Lowest
4,939Highest
3,265
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
47.1±3.4Lowest
21% above U.S.
49±9.1
26% above U.S.
Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
18.2%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.4%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Epsom 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
U.S.: 17.2%
20.7%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Pownal and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
40.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Epsom 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 U.S.
$97,941±$13kHighest
21% above U.S.
$64,163±$21kLowest
21% below U.S.
Epsom 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
18% below U.S.
$338,400±$19kHighest
about the U.S. average
$256,600±$32kLowest
23% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$1,212±$437Highest
14% below U.S.
$944±$139Lowest
33% below U.S.
Epsom and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418
42% above U.S.
$6,210Highest
99% above U.S.
$3,560Lowest
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
71.2%±19.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.4%±18.5
U.S.: 51.1%
Epsom and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
87.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1969Lowest
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13.1%±4.3
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±6.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Pownal and Epsom 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 #69 of 120 in NH #67 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Epsom School District Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
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

U.S. 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.