Compare towns

Brookline vs Hardwick vs Newfane

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Hardwick has the most affordable homes ($185k median).
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).

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.

MeasureBrooklineHardwickNewfane
People
Population
531Lowest
2,965Highest
1,456
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.1±2.7Lowest
5% above VT
47.1±7.4
9% above VT
54.4±3.9Highest
26% above VT
Newfane and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±4.4
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Brookline and Hardwick 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%
27%±5.9
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Newfane and Hardwick are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
41.1%
VT: 43.8%
33.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±1.6Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Brookline and Hardwick 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
$92,297±$17kHighest
14% above VT
$66,719±$21kLowest
18% below VT
Hardwick 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±$37kHighest
8% below VT
$184,700±$39kLowest
42% below VT
$284,200±$49k
10% below VT
Brookline and Newfane 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
$875±$406Lowest
29% 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
$4,351Lowest
14% below VT
$5,174Highest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.8%±94.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
48.6%±41.3
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Newfane and Hardwick 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%
9.7%
VT: 10.1%
10.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
76.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Highest
1 yr older than VT
1962Lowest
14 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
21% above VT
29 minHighest
23% above VT
27 minLowest
13% above VT
Work from home
20.6%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
11.8%±6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Newfane and Brookline 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 — #68 of 70 in VT —
School district — Mountain View Union Elementary School District #94 · Hazen Union High School District #26 West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town — Hazen Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
8.6
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.