Compare towns
Addison vs Benson vs Panton vs Waltham
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Addison has the highest household income ($107k).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Panton has the most kids (24.9% under 18).
Waltham has the oldest population (median age 60.8).
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 | Addison | Benson | Panton | Waltham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,175Highest |
784 |
690 |
452Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-4.6% VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 53.1±7.6 23% above VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
42.7±3.8Lowest about the VT average |
60.8±7.3Highest 41% above VT |
| Waltham and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.6%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
24.9%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±7.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Panton and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.1%±1.9 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
16.7%±2.9Lowest VT: 21.4% |
45.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 40.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.1% VT: 43.8% |
39% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±2.3 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Addison are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,667±$7kHighest 31% above VT |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$86,667±$10k 7% above VT |
$97,500±$14k 20% above VT |
| Addison and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,200±$23k 14% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$438,000±$40kHighest 38% above VT |
$329,700±$51k 4% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $2,019±$461Highest 64% above VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,410±$130 14% above VT |
$1,096±$113Lowest 11% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,831 16% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$6,695Highest 33% above VT |
$5,714 13% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.9%±62.8 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
61%±39Highest VT: 48.4% |
29.2%±58.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Panton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.5% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
83.7% VT: 73.2% |
86.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 18% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
26 minLowest 11% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.3%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
26.7%±8.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
20.6%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Panton and Waltham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.