Compare towns
Waterbury vs Jericho vs Castleton vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waterbury has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Jericho has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
Castleton has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
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 | Waterbury | Jericho | Castleton | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,405Highest |
5,114 |
4,453 |
1,943Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.2±3.7 about the VT average |
49.7±5.1Highest 15% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Jericho and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 21.9%±4.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
19.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Waterbury and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.8%±4.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.2%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Castleton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.2% VT: 43.8% |
65.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±2.8 VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $103,917±$23k 28% above VT |
$116,923±$16kHighest 44% above VT |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below VT |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
| Jericho and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $447,200±$40k 41% above VT |
$493,100±$38kHighest 56% above VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
| Jericho and Waterbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,027±$535Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,731±$111Highest 40% above VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
| Jericho and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,435 28% above VT |
$7,318Highest 45% above VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.8%±21.7 VT: 48.4% |
79.3%±52.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Jericho and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.9% VT: 10.1% |
0.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.9% VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 28% above VT |
26 min 10% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 28.3%±6.8 VT: 16.9% |
21.8%±6.4 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Waterbury 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 | #20 of 70 in VT | #6 of 70 in VT | #39 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | Mt. Mansfield Union High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 13.0 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | None yet | 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.