Compare towns

Bennington vs Worcester vs St. Johnsbury

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bennington has the shortest commute (17 min average).
Worcester has the most homeowners (85.9%).
St. Johnsbury has the most kids (21% under 18).

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.

MeasureBenningtonWorcesterSt. Johnsbury
People
Population
9,245Highest
831Lowest
7,368
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.5±3
3% above VT
47±2.7Highest
9% above VT
42.8±3.8Lowest
about the VT average
Worcester and Bennington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±3
VT: 17.9%
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21%±2.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
St. Johnsbury and Bennington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.9%±3.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.1%±3.6
VT: 21.4%
Bennington and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.5%
VT: 43.8%
53%Highest
VT: 43.8%
30.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.6%±2.4Lowest
VT: 7%
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
5.6%±2.2
VT: 7%
Worcester and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$54,257±$12kLowest
33% below VT
$73,833±$18kHighest
9% below VT
$57,738±$9k
29% below VT
Worcester and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$191,700±$28k
39% below VT
$271,100±$27kHighest
14% below VT
$177,700±$17kLowest
44% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,115±$57Highest
10% below VT
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$914±$44Lowest
26% below VT
Bennington and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,331
14% below VT
$4,421Highest
12% below VT
$3,916Lowest
22% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
70.4%±17.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
48%±11
VT: 48.4%
Bennington and St. Johnsbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%
VT: 10.1%
5.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
54.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
59.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1954
22 yrs older than VT
1976Highest
same as VT
1944Lowest
32 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 minLowest
27% below VT
29 minHighest
22% above VT
20 min
17% below VT
Work from home
12.6%±5.8Lowest
VT: 16.9%
23.6%±4.8Highest
VT: 16.9%
17.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
Worcester and St. Johnsbury 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 #58 of 70 in VT — #60 of 70 in VT
School district — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 —
High school 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.