Compare towns
Berlin vs Mapleton vs Springfield vs Chester
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).
Springfield has the most renters (32.3% rent).
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.
| Measure | Berlin | Mapleton | Springfield | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,884Lowest |
9,084Highest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
43.2±3.7 11% above U.S. |
49.7±4.7 28% above U.S. |
| Berlin and Chester 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% |
18.6%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton and Springfield 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% |
23.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±7.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Chester 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% |
23.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
33.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chester and Mapleton 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. |
$66,571±$13k 18% below U.S. |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% 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. |
$192,400±$20k 42% below U.S. |
$232,900±$44k 30% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Chester 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. |
$963±$100 32% below U.S. |
$960±$44 32% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Springfield 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. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$4,807Highest 54% above U.S. |
$4,262 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
49.6%±15.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Springfield 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% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
14.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
67.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 1 yr older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1958Lowest 22 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
27 min 3% above U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.1%±5.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Springfield and Chester 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 | — | #64 of 70 in VT | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Springfield High School | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 14.3Highest |
8.7Lowest |
| 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.