Compare towns
Berlin vs Thurman 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.3%).
Thurman has the most affordable homes ($197k median).
Pownal has the youngest population (median age 49).
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 | Thurman | Pownal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,880 |
977Lowest |
3,265Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-10.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.6±2.4 30% above U.S. |
52.7±3.8Highest 35% above U.S. |
49±9.1Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Thurman and Berlin 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% |
16.8%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.4%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Thurman and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.8%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
28.8%±3.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.5%±6.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Thurman and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
24.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.7%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Berlin and Thurman are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $86,691±$21kHighest 7% above U.S. |
$58,750±$14kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$64,163±$21k 21% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,600±$31kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$197,400±$43kLowest 41% below U.S. |
$256,600±$32k 23% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Pownal are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$2,175±$599Highest 54% above U.S. |
$944±$139Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,418Highest 42% above U.S. |
$2,368Lowest 24% below U.S. |
$3,560 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41%±19.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
23.1%±77.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
48.4%±18.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Pownal and Berlin 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% |
19.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
92.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1985Highest 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 24% above U.S. |
21 min 20% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
19%±8.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.4%±6.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Thurman 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 | — | Southwest Vermont Union Elementary School District #87 |
| High school 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.