Compare towns
Brighton vs Middlesex vs Bellows Falls vs Barton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brighton has the oldest population (median age 45.2).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Bellows Falls has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
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 | Brighton | Middlesex | Bellows Falls | Barton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,167 |
1,943 |
2,891Highest |
730Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.3% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-12.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
41.3±6.7 4% below VT |
40±5.5Lowest 7% below VT |
| Brighton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.3%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
22.6%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.7%±5.7 VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.9% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
27.5% VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
8.2%±4.3Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Bellows Falls and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $47,375±$21k 42% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$56,086±$2k 31% below VT |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $163,900±$39k 48% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$195,600±$35k 38% below VT |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $775±$33 37% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,038±$109 16% below VT |
$761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
| Middlesex and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,360 33% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,448 12% below VT |
$3,185Lowest 37% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55%±17 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
43.9%±16.8 VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 22% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.1% VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 51.1% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
50.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
52.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 9 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1945 31 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.4%±8.1 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.9%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Barton 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 | — | — | — | #38 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Brighton School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | — | — |
| High school 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.