Compare towns
Benson vs Brookline vs Putney vs Sutton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($231k 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 | Benson | Brookline | Putney | Sutton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
531Lowest |
2,622Highest |
790 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8% VT: +2.8% |
+1.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
45.1±2.7 5% above VT |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
| Benson and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
20%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Brookline and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.6%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
41.1% VT: 43.8% |
48.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
3.2%±1.6 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$80,833±$16kHighest about the VT average |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$71,250±$18kLowest 12% below VT |
| Brookline and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$290,700±$37k 8% below VT |
$300,000±$44kHighest 5% below VT |
$231,100±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
| Putney and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,732±$232Highest 40% above VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 18% below VT |
$5,000 about the VT average |
$5,313Highest 5% above VT |
$3,975Lowest 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
47.8%±94.7 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.2% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
12.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
84.9% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
20.6%±5.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Brookline and Benson 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 | — | — | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None 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.