Compare towns

Berlin vs Middlesex vs Tompkins

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 most expensive homes ($274k median).
Middlesex has the most kids (18% under 18).
Tompkins has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).

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.

MeasureBerlinMiddlesexTompkins
People
Population
2,880Highest
1,407
1,187Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+3.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Lowest
30% above U.S.
55.3±6
42% above U.S.
57.6±5.8Highest
48% above U.S.
Tompkins and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2
U.S.: 22%
18%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 22%
8.8%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex 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%
24.6%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
30.6%±4.9Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Tompkins 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%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
18.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.9%±2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,691±$21kHighest
7% above U.S.
$75,750±$21k
6% below U.S.
$61,103±$27kLowest
24% below U.S.
Berlin and Middlesex 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.
$208,100±$62k
37% below U.S.
$185,700±$23kLowest
44% below U.S.
Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$1,406±$672Highest
about the U.S. average
$483±$80Lowest
66% 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
$4,418Highest
42% above U.S.
$3,459
11% above U.S.
$2,487Lowest
20% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
29.1%±39
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±73.7Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Berlin and Middlesex 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%
5.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
91.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1974Lowest
6 yrs older than U.S.
1992Highest
12 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
25 min
4% below U.S.
70 minHighest
166% above U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
18.2%±6.2
U.S.: 15.1%
23.5%±13.3Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Tompkins and Middlesex 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 — —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 GORHAM-MIDDLESEX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MARCUS WHITMAN) —
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.