Compare towns

Worcester vs Middlesex vs Wheelock

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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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.

MeasureWorcesterMiddlesexWheelock
People
Population
831
1,943Highest
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
44.4±3.9Lowest
3% above VT
51±5.6Highest
18% above VT
Wheelock and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
Middlesex and Wheelock 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%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
VT: 43.8%
54.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Lowest
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
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27k
14% below VT
$376,300±$40kHighest
19% above VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Lowest
17% 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
$6,483Highest
29% above VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Worcester and Middlesex 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%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Lowest
same as VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
27 minLowest
17% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Lowest
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 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.