Compare towns
Berlin vs Mapleton vs Washington 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 the shortest commute (21 min average).
Mapleton has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.3%).
Chester has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Washington | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,884 |
1,624Lowest |
2,992Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.3%Highest 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. |
48.2±6.7 24% 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% |
14.2%±4 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest 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% |
21.3%±4.3 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% |
17.3%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% |
3%±1.7Lowest 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. |
$59,861±$17kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$62,125±$8k 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. |
$195,200±$36k 41% 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. |
$1,036±$322 27% below U.S. |
$960±$44 32% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Washington 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. |
$2,286 27% below 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% |
55.3%±62.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Washington 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% |
15.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1987Highest 7 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 21% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.6%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Washington 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 | — | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| 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.