Compare towns
Waterbury vs Wilder vs Middlesex vs Bolton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Waterbury has the most expensive homes ($447k median).
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Bolton has the youngest population (median age 36.3).
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 | Wilder | Middlesex | Bolton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,405Highest |
3,087 |
1,943 |
1,163Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.3% VT: +2.8% |
+81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+10.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.2±3.7 about the VT average |
45.5±8.9Highest 6% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
36.3±1.7Lowest 16% below VT |
| Wilder 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% |
11.8%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
14.9%±4 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%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
6.7%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder 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%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
60.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
58.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.4%±2.8 VT: 7% |
8.1%±3.9Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.7%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
| Wilder and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $103,917±$23k 28% above VT |
$75,143±$9kLowest 7% below VT |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$111,125±$17kHighest 37% above VT |
| Bolton 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±$40kHighest 41% above VT |
$273,200±$18kLowest 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$311,600±$42k about the VT average |
| Waterbury and Middlesex 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 |
$1,142±$451 7% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,299±$273 5% above VT |
| Middlesex and Bolton 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 |
$5,505 9% above VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,826Lowest 4% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.8%±21.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
28%±30.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Waterbury and Wilder 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% |
9.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8% VT: 10.1% |
2.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 70.6% VT: 73.2% |
62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
81.6% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Lowest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1983Lowest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 28% above VT |
17 minLowest 29% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
28 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 28.3%±6.8 VT: 16.9% |
12.6%±6.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±8.2 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 | — | — | — |
| School district | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| 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.