Compare towns
Middlesex vs Westford vs Putney vs Berlin
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%).
Westford has the most expensive homes ($425k median).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
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 | Westford | Putney | Berlin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,943Lowest |
2,290 |
2,622 |
2,880Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.6% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.3% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
44.1±8.6 about the VT average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.9%±4.6 VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.6%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Westford 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% |
17.2%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
26.8%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin 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% |
52.3% VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
28.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
9.5%±4.6 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3.9%±2.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$112,750±$12kHighest 39% above VT |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the VT average |
$86,691±$21k 7% above VT |
| Westford 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 |
$424,500±$21kHighest 34% above VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$273,600±$31kLowest 14% below VT |
| Westford and Middlesex 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 |
$2,375±$1kHighest 92% above VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,169±$171 5% below VT |
| Westford and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$6,282 25% above VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$4,418Lowest 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
29.8%±31 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Berlin 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% |
2.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.1% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 17% above VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
| Work from home | 28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
19.1%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Westford 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 | #16 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51 | 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 | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.