Compare towns

Middlesex vs Strafford vs Putney

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%).
Strafford has the oldest population (median age 51.4).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 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.

MeasureMiddlesexStraffordPutney
People
Population
1,943
1,372Lowest
2,622Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
Strafford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.3%±3.1
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Middlesex 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%
22.1%±3.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Strafford and Middlesex 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%
53.3%
VT: 43.8%
48.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Lowest
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,632±$13k
35% above VT
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$79,706±$18kLowest
about the VT average
Strafford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,300±$40k
19% above VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$300,000±$44kLowest
5% below VT
Strafford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
$1,125±$789
9% below VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
Middlesex and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,483
29% above VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$5,313Lowest
5% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
Putney and Strafford 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%
5.2%
VT: 10.1%
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minHighest
17% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
18 minLowest
24% below VT
Work from home
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Putney 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 — — #32 of 70 in VT
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Strafford School District Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
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.