Compare towns

Fairfield vs Middlesex vs Bradford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.1%).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (28.4%).
Bradford has the most affordable homes ($259k 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.

MeasureFairfieldMiddlesexBradford
People
Population
1,938Lowest
1,943
2,827Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%
VT: +2.8%
-0.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.3±2.7Lowest
about the VT average
44.4±3.9Highest
3% above VT
42.7±3.1
about the VT average
Middlesex and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
20.1%±5.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Fairfield and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
22.9%±5.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bradford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
36.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.6
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
0.7%±1Lowest
VT: 7%
Middlesex and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,019±$22kLowest
7% above VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$108,162±$15k
33% above VT
Middlesex and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$320,600±$22k
about the VT average
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$258,600±$30kLowest
18% below VT
Middlesex and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,056±$441Lowest
14% below VT
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
$1,221±$808
about the VT average
Middlesex and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,816
4% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$4,472Lowest
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29.2%±20.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
27.9%±23.4
VT: 48.4%
Fairfield and Bradford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%
VT: 10.1%
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.5%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
87.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
27 minHighest
17% above VT
25 min
4% above VT
Work from home
7.8%±3
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
7.7%±5.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — — #45 of 70 in VT
School district Maple Run Unified Union School District #57 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Oxbow Unified Union School District #91
High school in town None in town None in town Oxbow Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.5
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.