Compare towns
Benson vs Castleton vs Hubbardton vs Mapleton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
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).
Hubbardton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k 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 | Castleton | Hubbardton | Mapleton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
4,453Highest |
831 |
1,884 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+4.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 33% above U.S. |
38.3±4.3Lowest about the U.S. average |
48±13.6 23% above U.S. |
41.8±6 7% above U.S. |
| Benson and Hubbardton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±6.4 U.S.: 22% |
19.4%±6.4 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton and Hubbardton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
20.7%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
32.1%±10.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Hubbardton and Benson 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
43.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
19.3%±1.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k about the U.S. average |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below U.S. |
$102,321±$18kHighest 27% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
| Hubbardton and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26k 27% below U.S. |
$224,800±$71k 32% below U.S. |
$293,800±$42kHighest 12% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
| Hubbardton 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 21% below U.S. |
$1,137±$195 20% below U.S. |
$1,708±$259Highest 21% above U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 32% above U.S. |
$3,167 about the U.S. average |
$5,284Highest 69% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
67.7%±21.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
55.6%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Castleton and Hubbardton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
12.5%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.6%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1973Lowest 7 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above U.S. |
19 minLowest 27% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 27% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
24%±17.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Hubbardton 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 | — | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | RSU 79/MSAD 01 |
| 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 |
U.S. 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.