Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Norwich vs Putney
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
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 | Norwich | Putney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,943Lowest |
3,640Highest |
2,622 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
40.8±3.2 5% below VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
| Berlin 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 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Norwich and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
16%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
81%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$140,313±$12kHighest 73% above VT |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31kLowest 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$637,500±$76kHighest 101% above VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
$1,460±$322Highest 18% above VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
| Norwich and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$10,000+Highest at least 98% above VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.7%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.9% VT: 10.1% |
3.8% VT: 10.1% |
2.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
72.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 10% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
19 min 19% below VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
21%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Norwich 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 | — | #1 of 70 in VT | #32 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Norwich School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.