Compare towns
Berlin vs Middlesex vs Stark
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 shortest commute (21 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Stark has the most affordable homes ($198k 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 | Stark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,880Highest |
1,943 |
419Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-14%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 30% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9Lowest 14% above U.S. |
58.8±3.6Highest 51% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 16.6%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±6.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.2%±3.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Stark 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
17.5%Lowest 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%±4.7Lowest 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. |
$71,750±$23kLowest 11% below U.S. |
| 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 18% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$197,700±$34kLowest 41% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171Lowest 17% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
— |
| 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 42% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$2,636Lowest 15% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
66.7%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Stark and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1968Lowest 12 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
34 minHighest 28% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13.9%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Stark 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 | Stark School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.