Compare towns

Worcester vs Ira vs Middlesex

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the most renters (14.1% rent).
Ira has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% 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.

MeasureWorcesterIraMiddlesex
People
Population
831
381Lowest
1,943Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
54.1±5.5Highest
26% above VT
44.4±3.9Lowest
3% above VT
Ira and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9
VT: 17.9%
10.5%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.9%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
VT: 43.8%
37.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
Worcester and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18k
9% below VT
$71,827±$5kLowest
12% below VT
$109,632±$13kHighest
35% above VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$272,900±$18k
14% below VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$942±$52Lowest
24% below VT
$1,333±$359Highest
8% above VT
Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421
12% below VT
$4,146Lowest
18% below VT
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37
VT: 48.4%
36.4%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ira and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
14.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976
same as VT
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
28 min
20% above VT
27 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
2.3%±2.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
Middlesex and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.