Compare towns
Calais vs Arlington vs Worcester vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Calais has the most kids (22.5% under 18).
Arlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Middlesex has the highest household income ($110k).
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 | Calais | Arlington | Worcester | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,713 |
2,598Highest |
831Lowest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.4% VT: +2.8% |
+6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42±8.6 about the VT average |
37.6±4Lowest 13% below VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Worcester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
20.6%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±3.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Calais and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.4% VT: 43.8% |
55.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3.3%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $100,625±$27k 24% above VT |
$102,308±$11k 26% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Middlesex and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
$318,500±$59k about the VT average |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
$1,191±$172 3% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$4,549 10% below VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49%±38.3 VT: 48.4% |
77.1%±9.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Arlington and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.5% VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.4% VT: 73.2% |
84%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1966Lowest 10 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
20 minLowest 13% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.4%±7.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
35.9%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Arlington 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 | — | #50 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Arlington School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | Arlington Memorial | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 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.