Compare towns
Middlesex vs Benson vs Berlin vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Berlin has the shortest commute (21 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 | Middlesex | Benson | Berlin | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,943 |
784Lowest |
2,880Highest |
831 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
50.6±2.4 17% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
| Benson and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
16.6%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.8%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6% VT: 43.8% |
28.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
3.9%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$273,600±$31k 14% below VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,169±$171 5% below VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,418 12% below VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.9% VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 17% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
21 minLowest 10% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Worcester 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 | — | — | #16 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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 | 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.