Compare towns

South Barre vs Putney vs Middlesex

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

South Barre has the oldest population (median age 52.7).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
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.

MeasureSouth BarrePutneyMiddlesex
People
Population
1,346Lowest
2,622Highest
1,943
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.7±2.6Highest
22% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
44.4±3.9
3% above VT
Kids under 18
9.9%±5.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
11.5%±4.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.5Lowest
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$78,050±$16kLowest
4% below VT
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above 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
$257,600±$25kLowest
19% below VT
$300,000±$44k
5% below VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,609±$371Highest
30% above VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,333±$359
8% above VT
South Barre and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,750Lowest
6% below VT
$5,313
5% above VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
36.1%±40.7
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Putney and South Barre are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.4%
VT: 10.1%
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.7%
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
15 minLowest
36% below VT
18 min
24% below VT
27 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
16.5%±10.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Putney 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 Our Story 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.