Manchester Center, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Manchester Center, Vermont had a total population of 2,037, the 29th largest community in Vermont, with a median household income of $54,808, which is 33% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 29.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 33% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (29.7%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Manchester Center Quick Facts
How Manchester Center Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,935 | 2,037 | +5.3% |
| Median household income | $88,786 | $54,808 | -38.3% |
| Median home value | $330,300 | $359,800 | +8.9% |
How Manchester Center Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Manchester Center Rankings in Vermont
Explore Vermont Rankings
Other Cities in Bennington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington | 9,245 | $54,257 | 11.4% | $191,700 |
| Arlington | 1,623 | $76,250 | 10.7% | $268,800 |
| North Bennington | 1,336 | $68,571 | 7.4% | $313,000 |
| Manchester | 676 | $74,659 | 12.3% | $511,400 |
| Pownal | 570 | $63,523 | 18.6% | $272,700 |
| South Shaftsbury | 566 | $61,161 | 3.5% | $228,600 |
| Stamford | 466 | $87,500 | 6.4% | $272,500 |
| Pownal Center | 456 | $62,985 | 2.9% | $375,800 |
| Dorset | 310 | $151,087 | 6.1% | $545,600 |
| North Pownal | 308 | $83,917 | 0.0% | $205,000 |
Cities Similar to Manchester Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windsor | 2,060 | $51,197 | $170,300 | 40.0% | 7.8% |
| West Rutland | 2,125 | $53,393 | $194,200 | 34.4% | 7.0% |
| Brandon | 1,927 | $59,087 | $237,500 | 33.6% | 11.9% |
| Waterbury | 1,753 | $54,273 | $375,400 | 52.6% | 13.7% |
| Randolph | 2,007 | $75,069 | $235,400 | 42.1% | 14.1% |
Population Overview
Manchester Center is a small community located in Vermont, within Bennington County. The total population is 2,037. It ranks as the 29th most populous out of 179 Census-designated places in Vermont.
Age Demographics
The median age in Manchester Center is 50.4 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 43.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Manchester Center is $54,808. This is 33% lower than the state median of $81,203. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.7%. This is 195% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $359,800. Housing costs are 14% higher than the state median of $316,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.6x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 71.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 73.2%.
Race & Ethnicity
Manchester Center has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.3% of all residents. Asian residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
34.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% lower than the state rate of 43.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Manchester Center, Vermont is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Vermont state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 179 Census-designated places in Vermont. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Manchester Center, Vermont?
Manchester Center, Vermont has a population of 2,037 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Manchester Center, VT?
The median household income in Manchester Center is $54,808, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Manchester Center, VT?
The poverty rate in Manchester Center is 29.7%. This means approximately 601 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Manchester Center, Vermont?
Manchester Center's population is 92.3% White, 0.1% Black, 0.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Manchester Center, VT?
The median home value in Manchester Center is $359,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.6x.
How educated is Manchester Center, Vermont?
34.3% of adults (25+) in Manchester Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.