Compare towns
Lowell vs Castleton vs Berlin vs Berkshire
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Berkshire has the youngest population (median age 31.6).
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 | Lowell | Castleton | Berlin | Berkshire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070Lowest |
4,453Highest |
2,880 |
1,745 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5% VT: +2.8% |
-1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-8.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5 24% below VT |
38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
31.6±6.9Lowest 27% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.6%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
27.2%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
26.8%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
14.8%±2.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.5% VT: 43.8% |
22% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
3.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$86,691±$21kHighest 7% above VT |
$71,406±$21k 12% below VT |
| Berlin and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$273,600±$31kHighest 14% below VT |
$244,600±$26k 23% below VT |
| Berlin and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Lowest 23% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,525±$267Highest 24% above VT |
| Berkshire and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$3,167 37% below VT |
$4,418Highest 12% below VT |
$3,545 30% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
57.4%±52.6 VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Berkshire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
14.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
87.9% VT: 73.2% |
77.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
32 min 37% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Berkshire and Berlin 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | #16 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Lowell School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.