Compare towns
Manchester vs Putney vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Manchester has the oldest population (median age 54.5).
Putney has the most affordable homes ($300k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Manchester | Putney | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,486Highest |
2,622 |
1,943Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 54.5±6.3Highest 26% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Manchester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.7%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Manchester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $94,886±$23k 17% above VT |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Middlesex and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $454,600±$47kHighest 44% above VT |
$300,000±$44kLowest 5% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
| Manchester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,057±$76 14% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
| Middlesex and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,923 18% above VT |
$5,313Lowest 5% above VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±13.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Manchester and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
16% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 39% below VT |
18 min 24% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Manchester 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 | #37 of 70 in VT | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | 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 Our Story | 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.