Compare towns
Lowell vs Putney vs Middlesex vs Montgomery
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has the most kids (30.7% under 18).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
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 | Putney | Middlesex | Montgomery |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070 |
2,622Highest |
1,943 |
1,047Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
37.2±5.2 14% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
| Montgomery and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
15.5%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
52.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.8%±3.2Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15k 29% below VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
| Middlesex and Putney 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 |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$323,200±$45k about the VT average |
| Middlesex and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46 23% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$868±$209 30% below VT |
| Middlesex and Lowell 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 |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,326 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
15.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
37 min 58% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16%±5.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Putney 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 | — | #32 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Lowell School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | 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 | 6 photos → | 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.