Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Needham 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 the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Needham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.1%).
Pownal has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
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 | Middlesex | Needham | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,943Lowest |
32,459Highest |
3,265 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+11.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
43.1±1.6Lowest 11% 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% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±2.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±1.7Lowest 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% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
81.9%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%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.4%±1.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Needham and Middlesex 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. |
$109,632±$13k 36% above U.S. |
$214,308±$13kHighest 165% above U.S. |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31k 18% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
$1,188,500±$43kHighest 257% above U.S. |
$256,600±$32kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359 6% below U.S. |
$2,409±$183Highest 70% above U.S. |
$944±$139Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418 42% above U.S. |
$6,483 108% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$3,560Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.9%±8.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.4%±18.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Needham and Pownal 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% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
1969 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
21 min 20% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
32.4%±2.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Needham 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 | — | #19 of 282 in MA | #67 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | — | 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 | 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.