Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Olean vs East Montpelier
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k median).
East Montpelier has the most expensive homes ($379k 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 | Olean | East Montpelier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,943Lowest |
13,738Highest |
2,612 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
39±2.6Lowest about the U.S. average |
46.7±4 20% above U.S. |
| Berlin and East Montpelier are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
23.5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Olean 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
19.1%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.1%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and East Montpelier 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
29.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
59.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.8%±2 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Berlin 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±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$51,261±$7kLowest 37% below U.S. |
$92,778±$21k 15% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and East Montpelier are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31k 18% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40k 13% above U.S. |
$86,100±$6kLowest 74% below U.S. |
$378,700±$32kHighest 14% above U.S. |
| East Montpelier 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. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$794±$52Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$1,187±$131 16% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and East Montpelier 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. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$3,130Lowest about the U.S. average |
$5,868 88% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
52%±9.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
19.3%±13.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Olean 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% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
26.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
2.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
55.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 20% below U.S. |
27 minHighest 4% above U.S. |
14 minLowest 45% below U.S. |
20 min 26% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.2%±4.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and East Montpelier 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 | — | #337 of 484 in NY | #15 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | U-32 Middle & High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.2Highest |
10.3Lowest |
| 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.