Compare towns

Dummerston vs Nelson vs Middlesex

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dummerston has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).

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.

MeasureDummerstonNelsonMiddlesex
People
Population
2,090Highest
648Lowest
1,943
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-13.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
45.6±11.7Highest
17% above U.S.
42.3±11.7Lowest
9% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.7%±6
U.S.: 22%
27.5%±6.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Nelson and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±3
U.S.: 17.2%
24.8%±2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Nelson and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
58.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
61.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
0.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,696±$21k
26% above U.S.
$99,792±$23kLowest
24% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
Middlesex and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$335,300±$22kLowest
about the U.S. average
$340,900±$49k
about the U.S. average
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
Middlesex and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,392±$126Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,203±$243Lowest
15% below U.S.
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
Dummerston and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,536Lowest
45% above U.S.
$5,575
79% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.1%±32.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±68.8
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dummerston and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
1.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
21% below U.S.
24 min
8% below U.S.
27 minHighest
4% above U.S.
Work from home
25.9%±10.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
31.5%±8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Nelson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Nelson School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. 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.