Compare towns
Ludlow vs Middlesex vs Worcester vs Cavendish
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ludlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
Middlesex has the highest household income ($110k).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Cavendish has the shortest commute (19 min average).
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 | Worcester | Cavendish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,990Highest |
1,943 |
831Lowest |
1,242 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±6.2Highest 21% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
45.2±5.9 5% above VT |
| Ludlow and Worcester 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%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±4.8 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Cavendish 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%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
23.6%±2 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
39.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±6.4 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
4.3%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $54,885±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$89,063±$29k 10% above VT |
| Middlesex and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $370,200±$46k 17% above VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$285,100±$40k 10% below 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 |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,000±$546Lowest 19% below VT |
| Middlesex and Ludlow 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 |
$4,421 12% below VT |
$3,948Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.2%±25.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
28.9%±27 VT: 48.4% |
| Ludlow and Cavendish 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% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
6.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
81.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
19 minLowest 21% below VT |
| Work from home | 21.3%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
18.5%±6.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| 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 | 18 photos → |
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.