Compare towns

Putney vs Middlesex vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).

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.

MeasurePutneyMiddlesexWheelock
People
Population
2,622Highest
1,943
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
51±5.6Highest
18% above VT
Wheelock and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.4%±4.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
Middlesex and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$300,000±$44k
5% below VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
—
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,313
5% above VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Putney and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
18 minLowest
24% below VT
27 min
17% above VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
16.9%±6.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Wheelock 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 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 6 photos → 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.