Compare towns

Berlin vs Fleming vs Middlesex 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).
Fleming has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).

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.

MeasureBerlinFlemingMiddlesexPownal
People
Population
2,880
2,463
1,943Lowest
3,265Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
43.7±9.2Lowest
12% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% 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%
23.7%±5.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
16.4%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Fleming and Middlesex 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%
24.5%±2.9
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
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%
30.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%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%
4.5%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Fleming 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.
$92,216±$7k
14% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$64,163±$21kLowest
21% below U.S.
Middlesex and Fleming 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.
$250,000±$32kLowest
25% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$256,600±$32k
23% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$1,773±$334Highest
25% above U.S.
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
$944±$139Lowest
33% below U.S.
Fleming and Middlesex 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.
$5,214
67% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$3,560Lowest
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
15.7%±16.7
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.4%±18.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Pownal 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
U.S.: 12.5%
4.3%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
86.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1957Lowest
23 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1969
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
20% below U.S.
18 minLowest
30% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
6.9%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±6.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Pownal 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 — — #67 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 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 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.