Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Pownal vs White River Junction
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%).
Pownal has the most affordable homes ($257k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
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 | Pownal | White River Junction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,943Lowest |
3,265 |
3,364Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
49±9.1 14% above VT |
33.7±3.2Lowest 22% below VT |
| 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 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.1%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| 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% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5 VT: 7% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| 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 VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
$77,168±$4k 5% below VT |
| Middlesex 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±$31k 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$256,600±$32kLowest 19% below VT |
$278,800±$78k 12% below VT |
| Middlesex and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,222±$216 about the VT average |
| Middlesex and White River Junction are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418 12% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,560Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,651 12% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Pownal and White River Junction 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%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
92.6% VT: 73.2% |
43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1969 7 yrs older than VT |
1963Lowest 13 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 min 10% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
15 minLowest 35% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 VT: 16.9% |
15.7%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Pownal 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 | — | #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 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.