Compare towns
Worcester vs Middlesex vs Brighton
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 oldest population (median age 47).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Brighton has the most renters (48.9% rent).
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 | Worcester | Middlesex | Brighton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 831Lowest |
1,943Highest |
1,167 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
45.2±11.6 5% above VT |
| Worcester and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.3%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
25.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
4.6%±2.4Lowest 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 |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$47,375±$21kLowest 42% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$163,900±$39kLowest 48% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$775±$33Lowest 37% below 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 |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,360Lowest 33% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
55%±17Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Brighton 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
22%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1967Lowest 9 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 22% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.4%±8.1Lowest 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 | Brighton School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.