Compare towns
Benson vs Castleton vs Putney vs Dresden
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 most people working from home (18.6%).
Castleton has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Putney has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.1%).
Dresden 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 | Putney | Dresden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
4,453Highest |
2,622 |
551Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-17.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
38.3±4.3 about the U.S. average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
59±2.8Highest 52% above U.S. |
| Dresden 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 U.S.: 22% |
18.8%±6.4Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.4%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Castleton and Benson 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% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Dresden 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
37.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
48.6%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
22.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
19.3%±1.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Putney and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k about the U.S. average |
$73,854±$23k 9% below U.S. |
$79,706±$18kHighest about the U.S. average |
$64,180±$9kLowest 21% below U.S. |
| Putney 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 27% below U.S. |
$224,800±$71k 32% below U.S. |
$300,000±$44kHighest 10% below U.S. |
$191,500±$48kLowest 42% below U.S. |
| Putney 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±$195Highest 20% below U.S. |
$508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$1,066±$109 25% below U.S. |
| Castleton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 32% above U.S. |
$3,167 about the U.S. average |
$5,313Highest 70% above U.S. |
$3,138Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
67.7%±21.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.2%±19.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±48.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Castleton and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
12.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
79% U.S.: 65.2% |
72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1977Highest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
19 min 27% below U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
6.2%±3.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
16.9%±6.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
1%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Putney 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 | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.