Compare towns
Halifax 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
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
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 | Halifax | Worcester | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 847 |
831Lowest |
1,943Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 6% 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 | 25.4%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Halifax and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Halifax and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $63,889±$7kLowest 21% below VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21kLowest 16% below VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $875±$154Lowest 29% below VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
| Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991 about the VT average |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Halifax and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 38% above VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Halifax and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Halifax School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | 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 |
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.