Compare towns

Berlin vs Lancaster vs Middlesex

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).
Lancaster has grown the fastest since 2010 (+12.5%).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).

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.

MeasureBerlinLancasterMiddlesex
People
Population
2,880Highest
2,230
1,943Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+12.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
38.6±8.5Lowest
about the U.S. average
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
25.1%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
Lancaster and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.6%±4.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Berlin and Middlesex 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%
23.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
3.5%±3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
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 U.S.
$66,765±$20kLowest
17% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
Middlesex 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.
$200,500±$24kLowest
40% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$1,036±$221Lowest
27% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
Middlesex 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.
$4,225Lowest
35% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
41.2%±18.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Lancaster and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
19.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
65.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 min
20% below U.S.
20 minLowest
25% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
10.6%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #16 of 70 in VT #107 of 120 in NH —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school 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.