Compare towns
Newark vs Middlesex vs Brighton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Newark has the youngest population (median age 41.4).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Brighton has the most renters (48.9% 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.
| Measure | Newark | Middlesex | Brighton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 727Lowest |
1,943Highest |
1,167 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.5% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 41.4±6Lowest 4% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
| Brighton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 22%±3Highest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Newark and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.9%±5.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
25.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 0.6%±0.6Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $72,929±$7k 10% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$47,375±$21kLowest 42% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $229,900±$23k 27% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$163,900±$39kLowest 48% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,708±$97Highest 38% above VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
$775±$33Lowest 37% below VT |
| Newark and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,771 25% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,360Lowest 33% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 7.1%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
55%±17Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Brighton and Newark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 22.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
22% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.8% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1967Lowest 9 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 44% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
33 min 41% above VT |
| Work from home | 13.8%±8.2 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.4%±8.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Newark are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Brighton School District |
| 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.