Compare towns

Braintree vs Brookfield vs Middlesex vs Roxbury

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Braintree has the oldest population (median age 58.4).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Roxbury has the most kids (30.6% under 18).

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.

MeasureBraintreeBrookfieldMiddlesexRoxbury
People
Population
1,026
1,486
1,943Highest
942Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.9%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
58.4±2.4Highest
35% above VT
47±5.9
9% above VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
35.6±11.7Lowest
17% below VT
Kids under 18
12.3%±3.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
30.6%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
33.2%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
29.7%±6.4
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
18.7%±8.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Braintree and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.9%
VT: 43.8%
45.3%
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
29.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
3.2%±2.4
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Middlesex and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,803±$5k
about the VT average
$98,500±$23k
21% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$73,214±$22kLowest
10% below VT
Middlesex and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$28kLowest
31% below VT
$339,300±$15k
7% above VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$242,600±$55k
23% below VT
Middlesex and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$840±$405Lowest
32% below VT
$975±$306
21% below VT
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
$950±$495
23% below VT
Middlesex and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,908Lowest
22% below VT
$4,560
10% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$4,284
15% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.4%±29.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.4%±27.8
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
16.7%±100
VT: 48.4%
Braintree and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.1%
VT: 10.1%
6.3%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
27.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.9%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
94%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1975
1 yr older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1974Lowest
2 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
11% above VT
37 minHighest
55% above VT
27 min
17% above VT
26 min
12% above VT
Work from home
19%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±10.4
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
5.2%±3.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town None in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.