Compare towns
Brookline vs Arlington vs Westminster vs Newfane
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Arlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Westminster has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
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 | Brookline | Arlington | Westminster | Newfane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 531Lowest |
2,598 |
2,999Highest |
1,456 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.9% VT: +2.8% |
+6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.1±2.7 5% above VT |
37.6±4Lowest 13% below VT |
53.5±3.7 24% above VT |
54.4±3.9Highest 26% above VT |
| Newfane and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20%±6 VT: 17.9% |
20.6%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.2%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Arlington and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±3.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.6%±6.8 VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Newfane and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
46.3% VT: 43.8% |
46.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±1.6 VT: 7% |
3.3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
4.4%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Westminster and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,833±$16k about the VT average |
$102,308±$11kHighest 26% above VT |
$71,491±$4k 12% below VT |
$66,719±$21kLowest 18% below VT |
| Arlington and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $290,700±$37k 8% below VT |
$318,500±$59kHighest about the VT average |
$273,800±$35kLowest 14% below VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
| Arlington and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,732±$232Highest 40% above VT |
$1,191±$172 3% below VT |
$916±$126Lowest 26% below VT |
$1,266±$238 about the VT average |
| Brookline and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,000 about the VT average |
$4,549 10% below VT |
$4,063Lowest 19% below VT |
$5,174Highest about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.8%±94.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
77.1%±9.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
49.2%±7.5 VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Arlington and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.5% VT: 10.1% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9% VT: 73.2% |
84%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
88.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1966Lowest 10 yrs older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1971 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 21% above VT |
20 minLowest 13% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
27 min 13% above VT |
| Work from home | 20.6%±5.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
35.9%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
27%±6.6 VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Arlington and Newfane 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 | — | #50 of 70 in VT | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | — | Arlington School District | Bellows Falls Union High School District #27 · Westminster School District | West River Valley Union Education District #72A |
| High school in town | — | Arlington Memorial | Bellows Falls Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.6 |
10.6 |
— |
| 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.