Compare towns

Bethlehem vs Putney vs Middlesex

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethlehem has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
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.

MeasureBethlehemPutneyMiddlesex
People
Population
2,537
2,622Highest
1,943Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
50.6±8.5Highest
30% above U.S.
37.2±5.2Lowest
4% below U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
Bethlehem and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.7%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±5.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
Bethlehem and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
45.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.9%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
20.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,029±$18k
5% above U.S.
$79,706±$18kLowest
about the U.S. average
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
Middlesex and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$288,300±$22kLowest
13% below U.S.
$300,000±$44k
10% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,174±$81
17% below U.S.
$508±$482Lowest
64% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
Middlesex and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,418
74% above U.S.
$5,313Lowest
70% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.3%±18.3
U.S.: 51.1%
54.2%±19.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Putney and Bethlehem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
16%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
23% below U.S.
18 minLowest
32% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
31.2%±12.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.9%±6.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Bethlehem and Middlesex 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 #34 of 120 in NH #32 of 70 in VT —
School district Bethlehem School District · Profile School District Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town Profile Senior High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.9
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.