Compare towns
Benson vs Castleton vs Jay vs Waterville
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 highest household income ($79k).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Waterville has the most kids (20.4% 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 | Jay | Waterville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
4,453Highest |
471Lowest |
680 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
49.1±8.2 14% above VT |
| Jay and Benson 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% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±8.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Waterville and Castleton 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% |
15.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
14.4%±3.5Lowest 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% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$71,250±$27kLowest 12% below VT |
| Benson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26kHighest 24% below VT |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$236,300±$15k 25% below VT |
| Benson and Waterville 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 |
— | $1,110±$93Lowest 10% 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 |
$3,588 29% below VT |
$3,957 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±27.2 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% VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
4.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 35% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
38 min 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.5%±3 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay 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 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | None 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.