Compare towns
Manchester vs Rupert 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 shortest commute (14 min average).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
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 | Rupert | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,486Highest |
676Lowest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-2.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 54.5±6.3 26% above VT |
57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
| Rupert and Manchester 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% |
13.9%±3.7Lowest 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%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.4% VT: 43.8% |
30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Manchester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $94,886±$23k 17% above VT |
$88,229±$36kLowest 9% above VT |
$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 |
$362,500±$63kLowest 14% above 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±$76Lowest 14% 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 |
$4,594Lowest 9% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±13.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Manchester and Rupert 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% |
6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 39% below VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2Lowest 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 | — | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school 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.