Compare towns
Tompkins vs Berlin 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
Tompkins has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Berlin has the most expensive homes ($274k median).
Middlesex has the most kids (18% under 18).
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 | Tompkins | Berlin | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,187Lowest |
2,880Highest |
1,407 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.6±5.8Highest 48% above U.S. |
50.6±2.4Lowest 30% above U.S. |
55.3±6 42% above U.S. |
| Tompkins and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 8.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.6%±4.2 U.S.: 22% |
18%±3.8Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.6%±4.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±4.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.6%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Tompkins and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 18.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
28.5%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $61,103±$27kLowest 24% below U.S. |
$86,691±$21kHighest 7% above U.S. |
$75,750±$21k 6% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $185,700±$23kLowest 44% below U.S. |
$273,600±$31kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$208,100±$62k 37% below U.S. |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $483±$80Lowest 66% below U.S. |
$1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$1,406±$672Highest about the U.S. average |
| Middlesex and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,487Lowest 20% below U.S. |
$4,418Highest 42% above U.S. |
$3,459 11% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±73.7Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41%±19.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
29.1%±39 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1992Highest 12 yrs newer than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1974Lowest 6 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 70 minHighest 166% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 20% below U.S. |
25 min 4% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 23.5%±13.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.2%±6.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Tompkins 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 | — | #16 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | GORHAM-MIDDLESEX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MARCUS WHITMAN) |
| High school 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.