Compare towns
Worcester vs Middlesex vs Fair Haven
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%).
Fair Haven has the most affordable homes ($177k median).
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 | Fair Haven |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 831Lowest |
1,943 |
2,724Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+0.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
39.2±7.6Lowest 9% below VT |
| Worcester and Middlesex 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% |
19.4%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
18.4%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Middlesex and Worcester 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% |
23.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
4.1%±2.9Lowest 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 |
$62,404±$16kLowest 23% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$176,500±$14kLowest 44% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$830±$116Lowest 33% 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 |
$3,865Lowest 23% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
50.9%±20.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Fair Haven 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% |
18.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 22% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
31 minHighest 31% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
4.3%±2.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Worcester 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 | — | — | #66 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Fair Haven Union Middle and High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.8 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 12 photos → |
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.