Compare towns
Belvidere vs Benson vs Stratton vs Marshfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Belvidere has the most homeowners (86.1%).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Stratton has the most expensive homes ($400k median).
Marshfield has the most affordable homes ($178k 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 | Belvidere | Benson | Stratton | Marshfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 422Lowest |
784Highest |
532 |
470 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | -7.8% VT: +2.8% |
— | — |
| Median age | 40.7±6.5 6% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
42.4±8.8 about the VT average |
| Benson and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22%±4 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
19.4%±9.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 8.8%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4 VT: 21.4% |
10.2%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
35.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.4%±1.3 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
3.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $81,563±$18k about the VT average |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$84,375±$20k 4% above VT |
| Stratton and Marshfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $239,200±$51k 24% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$178,300±$31kLowest 44% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,542±$1kHighest 25% above VT |
$1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,208±$979 about the VT average |
$1,125±$79 9% below VT |
| Belvidere and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,908 22% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$4,750Highest 6% below VT |
$3,269Lowest 35% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.7%±53.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.4%±62.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Belvidere and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
81.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1988 12 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 38 minHighest 60% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
33 min 39% above VT |
29 minLowest 24% above VT |
| Work from home | 9.4%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.5%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Marshfield 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.