Compare towns

Berlin vs Schroeppel vs Middlesex vs Pownal

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).
Schroeppel has the most affordable homes ($188k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).

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.

MeasureBerlinSchroeppelMiddlesexPownal
People
Population
2,880
7,938Highest
1,943Lowest
3,265
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-6.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-7.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
30% above U.S.
45.3±2.5
16% above U.S.
44.4±3.9Lowest
14% above U.S.
49±9.1
26% above U.S.
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
U.S.: 22%
22.6%±3Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
16.4%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Schroeppel and Middlesex 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%
19.8%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
27.5%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
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%
U.S.: 35.7%
30%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
28.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9
U.S.: 6.4%
3.1%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1.5Lowest
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.
$73,082±$9k
9% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$64,163±$21kLowest
21% 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.
$188,400±$14kLowest
43% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$256,600±$32k
23% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171
17% below U.S.
$972±$69
31% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$944±$139Lowest
33% 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.
$4,546
46% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$3,560Lowest
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
55.3%±7.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.4%±18.5
U.S.: 51.1%
Schroeppel and Pownal 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%
15%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
77%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
92.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
1 yr older than U.S.
1968Lowest
12 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1969
11 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
20% below U.S.
23 min
14% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
21 min
20% below U.S.
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
U.S.: 15.1%
9.4%±2.9Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.4%±6.7
U.S.: 15.1%
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 #277 of 484 in NY — #67 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 PHOENIX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87
High school in town None in town JOHN C BIRDLEBOUGH HIGH SCHOOL None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.9
— —
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.