Compare towns

Sunapee vs Middlesex vs Putney

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sunapee has the oldest population (median age 56.7).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).

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.

MeasureSunapeeMiddlesexPutney
People
Population
3,416Highest
1,943Lowest
2,622
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
56.7±1.4Highest
46% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
37.2±5.2Lowest
4% below U.S.
Kids under 18
9.9%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.4%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
Middlesex and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.3%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
50.6%
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
48.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±3.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6
U.S.: 6.4%
20.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$101,393±$20k
26% above U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$79,706±$18kLowest
about the U.S. average
Middlesex and Sunapee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$393,000±$51kHighest
18% above U.S.
$376,300±$40k
13% above U.S.
$300,000±$44kLowest
10% below U.S.
Sunapee and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,713±$451Highest
21% above U.S.
$1,333±$359
6% below U.S.
$508±$482Lowest
64% below U.S.
Sunapee and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,400Lowest
41% above U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$5,313
70% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.6%±10.5
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
54.2%±19.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Putney and Sunapee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
16%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
72.8%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Lowest
5 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
33 minHighest
24% above U.S.
27 min
4% above U.S.
18 minLowest
32% below U.S.
Work from home
9.5%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.9%±6.5
U.S.: 15.1%
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 #14 of 120 in NH — #32 of 70 in VT
School district Sunapee School District Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
High school in town Sunapee Sr. High School None in town None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
11.9
— —
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.