Compare towns
Chester vs Middlesex vs Northfield vs Springfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chester has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Northfield has the youngest population (median age 36.4).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k 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 | Chester | Middlesex | Northfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,992 |
1,943Lowest |
5,920 |
9,084Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 49.7±4.7Highest 15% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
36.4±4.1Lowest 16% below VT |
43.2±3.7 about the VT average |
| Chester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
18.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
20%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.1% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.6% VT: 43.8% |
23.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±4 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
15.1%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$71,768±$13k 12% below VT |
$66,571±$13k 18% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$274,400±$21k 13% below VT |
$192,400±$20kLowest 39% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $960±$44Lowest 22% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,018±$207 18% below VT |
$963±$100 22% below VT |
| Middlesex and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,262Lowest 15% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,878 3% below VT |
$4,807 5% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 11.5%±12.3 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
49.6%±15.6 VT: 48.4% |
| Northfield and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
14.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.5% VT: 73.2% |
67.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1956Lowest 20 yrs older than VT |
1958 18 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 18% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
27 minLowest 16% above VT |
27 minLowest 16% above VT |
| Work from home | 14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
15.1%±5.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Springfield 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 | #49 of 70 in VT | — | #42 of 70 in VT | #64 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District |
| High school in town | Green Mountain Union High School | None in town | Northfield Middle/High School | Springfield High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 8.7Lowest |
— | 10.0 |
14.3Highest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 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.