Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Sheffield vs Pownal
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%).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Pownal has the oldest housing (typical home built 1969).
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 | Sheffield | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
1,943 |
573Lowest |
3,265Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3% VT: +2.8% |
-7.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
42±8Lowest about the VT average |
49±9.1 14% above 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% |
17.1%±6.6 VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Sheffield 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% |
19.2%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.5%±6.3Highest 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% |
27.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
28.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
5.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Sheffield 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 |
$58,333±$26kLowest 28% below VT |
$64,163±$21k 21% 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 |
$171,900±$50kLowest 46% below VT |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$967±$79 22% below VT |
$944±$139Lowest 24% 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 |
$2,123Lowest 58% below VT |
$3,560 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
61.5%±41.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Sheffield 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 VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
83.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.6% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
1987Highest 11 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
30 minHighest 28% above VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.1%±2.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7 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 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 |
| High school in town | None 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 |
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.