Compare towns
Ludlow vs Middlesex vs Bristol vs Dover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ludlow has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% under 18).
Bristol has the most renters (28.7% rent).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
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 | Ludlow | Middlesex | Bristol | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,990 |
1,943 |
3,778Highest |
1,466Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-2.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±6.2 21% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
47.9±4.8 11% above VT |
53.5±8.3Highest 24% above VT |
| Dover and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.1%±6 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.5 VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 31.1%±2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.8 VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Ludlow and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
41.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±6.4Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
5.2%±3.2 VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Ludlow and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $54,885±$14k 32% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$74,620±$8k 8% below VT |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $370,200±$46k 17% above VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$337,300±$46k 7% above VT |
$332,900±$55kLowest 5% above VT |
| Middlesex and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,112±$151 10% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,275±$181 3% above VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
| Middlesex and Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,890 about the VT average |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$5,978 19% above VT |
$4,510Lowest 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.2%±25.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
47.9%±14.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Bristol and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
71.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
81.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 14% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
25 min 5% above VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.9%±6.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Dover 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 | — | — | #31 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Mt. Abraham Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 11.9 |
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| 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.