Compare towns

Berlin vs Mapleton 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.3%).
Mapleton has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
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.

MeasureBerlinMapletonPownal
People
Population
2,880
1,884Lowest
3,265Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.2%
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
41.8±6Lowest
7% 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%
22.2%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.4%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Mapleton 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%
18.3%±3.1Lowest
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%
34.3%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%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Mapleton 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.
$91,731±$25kHighest
14% above U.S.
$64,163±$21kLowest
21% below U.S.
Mapleton 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
18% below U.S.
$191,800±$23kLowest
42% below U.S.
$256,600±$32k
23% below U.S.
Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171Highest
17% below U.S.
$610±$277Lowest
57% below U.S.
$944±$139
33% below U.S.
Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418Highest
42% above U.S.
$1,789Lowest
43% below U.S.
$3,560
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
16.7%±10.5Lowest
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%
8.9%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
79.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
1 yr older than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1969Lowest
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
28 minHighest
5% above U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
10.8%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±6.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Pownal 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 — #67 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 RSU 79/MSAD 01 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.