Compare towns

Berlin vs Ira vs Williamstown

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).
Ira has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Williamstown has the most kids (19.9% under 18).

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.

MeasureBerlinIraWilliamstown
People
Population
2,880
381Lowest
3,579Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+3.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.6±2.4
17% above VT
54.1±5.5Highest
26% above VT
42±5Lowest
about the VT average
Ira and Berlin 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%
10.5%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
19.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Williamstown 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%
28.9%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
17%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Ira 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%
VT: 43.8%
37.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
VT: 7%
3.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 7%
4.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
Williamstown 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
$71,827±$5kLowest
12% below VT
$94,418±$10kHighest
16% above VT
Williamstown 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±$31kHighest
14% below VT
$272,900±$18k
14% below VT
$234,900±$24kLowest
26% below VT
Berlin and Ira 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
$942±$52Lowest
24% below VT
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418Highest
12% below VT
$4,146
18% below VT
$3,841Lowest
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
36.4%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%
VT: 10.1%
14.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
10% below VT
28 minHighest
20% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
VT: 16.9%
2.3%±2.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±6.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
Williamstown and Berlin 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 — #47 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 — Paine Mountain Union School District #68
High school in town None in town — Williamstown Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.5
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.