Compare towns
Benson vs Castleton vs Enosburgh vs Franklin
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).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Enosburgh has the most affordable homes ($223k median).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% 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.
| Measure | Benson | Castleton | Enosburgh | Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
4,453Highest |
2,804 |
1,590 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5% VT: +2.8% |
— | -3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
40.6±3.9 6% below VT |
38.8±6.9 10% below VT |
| Benson and Enosburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
21%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Enosburgh 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% |
20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
17.9%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% VT: 43.8% |
37.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
20.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.4%±2.4Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$63,828±$17kLowest 21% below VT |
$79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
| Franklin and Benson 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 |
$224,800±$71k 29% below VT |
$223,100±$39kLowest 30% below VT |
$247,400±$66kHighest 22% below VT |
| Franklin and Benson 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 |
$1,137±$195Highest 8% below VT |
$852±$87Lowest 31% below VT |
$891±$266 28% below VT |
| Castleton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$3,624 28% below VT |
$3,384 33% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
48.9%±11.2 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton 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% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
13.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
75.7% VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 35% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
32 minHighest 36% above VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
10.1%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Franklin 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | #26 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Enosburgh-Richford Unified Union School District #88 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Enosburg Falls Middle/High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.4 |
— |
| 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.