Compare towns
Union vs Berlin vs Mapleton vs Hope
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Union has the most kids (24.9% under 18).
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Hope has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.5%).
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 | Union | Berlin | Mapleton | Hope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,663 |
2,880Highest |
1,884 |
1,748Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.6±5.3Lowest 7% above U.S. |
50.6±2.4Highest 30% above U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
44.6±3.1 15% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 24.9%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Union and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.8%±4.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±1.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Berlin and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
28.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
47.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.9%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,724±$9kLowest about the U.S. average |
$86,691±$21k 7% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$86,766±$6k 7% above U.S. |
| Mapleton and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,600±$42k 20% below U.S. |
$273,600±$31k 18% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$373,400±$33kHighest 12% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,179±$452 17% below U.S. |
$1,169±$171 17% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,219±$182Highest 14% below U.S. |
| Hope and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,276 5% above U.S. |
$4,418Highest 42% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$3,842 23% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.6%±19.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
41%±19.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
37.8%±38.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Berlin and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 11% above U.S. |
21 min 20% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.9%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
11.7%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±10.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hope and Union 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 | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Hope Public Schools |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.