Compare towns
Nelson vs Putney vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
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 | Nelson | Putney | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 648Lowest |
2,622Highest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 42.3±11.7 9% above U.S. |
37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
44.4±3.9Highest 14% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Nelson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Nelson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 61.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
48.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $99,792±$23k 24% above U.S. |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the U.S. average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $340,900±$49k about the U.S. average |
$300,000±$44kLowest 10% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,203±$243 15% below U.S. |
$508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,575 79% above U.S. |
$5,313Lowest 70% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±68.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
54.2%±19.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Putney and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 8% below U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
27 minHighest 4% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 31.5%±8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±6.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Nelson and Middlesex 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 | Nelson School District | 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 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.