Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Proctor vs Worcester
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Proctor has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
Worcester has the most renters (14.1% rent).
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 | Proctor | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,943 |
1,794 |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
42.4±6.4Lowest about the VT average |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
| Berlin and Worcester 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% |
21.8%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Proctor 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% |
22.4%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and Proctor 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% |
28.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
3.6%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Worcester 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 VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$74,167±$12k 9% below VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% 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 |
$209,900±$17kLowest 34% below VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,029±$202 17% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
| Middlesex and Berlin 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 |
$4,032Lowest 20% below VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
37.3%±16.2 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
| Berlin and Proctor 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% |
16.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±4.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Worcester 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Proctor Junior/Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.