Compare towns
Berlin vs Sutton vs Whiting 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).
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($231k median).
Whiting has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Pownal has the most people working from home (16.4%).
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 | Sutton | Whiting | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,880 |
790 |
532Lowest |
3,265Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | -7.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
39.6±2.7Lowest 8% below VT |
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% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±6.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Whiting and Sutton 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% |
21.6%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
13%±5.1Lowest 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% |
32.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
25.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
28.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
6.2%±4Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest VT: 7% |
| Whiting 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 |
$71,250±$18k 12% below VT |
$91,250±$38kHighest 12% above VT |
$64,163±$21kLowest 21% below VT |
| Whiting 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 |
$231,100±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
$280,400±$36kHighest 11% below VT |
$256,600±$32k 19% below VT |
| Whiting and Berlin 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 |
— | $1,204±$519Highest about the VT average |
$944±$139Lowest 24% below VT |
| Whiting and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Highest 12% below VT |
$3,975 21% below VT |
$4,227 16% below VT |
$3,560Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
58.3%±37.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.4%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Whiting and Pownal 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% |
12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.5% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9% VT: 73.2% |
85% VT: 73.2% |
65.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 10% below VT |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
22 min 7% below VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
10%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±6.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Pownal and Berlin 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 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 | 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.