Compare towns

Middlesex vs Strafford vs Westford

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 shortest commute (23 min average).
Westford has the most renters (13.9% rent).

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.

MeasureMiddlesexStraffordWestford
People
Population
1,943
1,372Lowest
2,290Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
44.1±8.6Lowest
about the VT average
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%
16.9%±4.6Lowest
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%
17.2%±3.2Lowest
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%
52.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6Lowest
VT: 7%
9.5%±4.6Highest
VT: 7%
Westford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$109,632±$13kLowest
35% above VT
$110,833±$19k
36% above VT
$112,750±$12kHighest
39% above VT
Westford and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$376,300±$40kLowest
19% above VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$424,500±$21k
34% above VT
Strafford and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
$1,125±$789Lowest
9% below VT
$2,375±$1kHighest
92% above VT
Westford and Middlesex 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
$6,282Lowest
25% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48Highest
VT: 48.4%
29.8%±31
VT: 48.4%
Strafford and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.8%
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%
VT: 73.2%
86.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
17% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
33 minHighest
42% above VT
Work from home
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
19.1%±6.9
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Westford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Strafford School District Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.