Compare towns
Benson vs Castleton vs Stratton vs Shoreham
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 most people working from home (18.6%).
Castleton has the shortest commute (19 min average).
Stratton has the most kids (28% 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 | Stratton | Shoreham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
4,453Highest |
532Lowest |
1,269 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5% VT: +2.8% |
— | -0.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
51.8±7.2 20% above VT |
| Benson and Shoreham 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% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
18%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton 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% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.1%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Shoreham 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% |
37.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
36.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
1.7%±1.1 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$93,654±$23k 15% above VT |
| Stratton and Shoreham 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±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$316,400±$34k about the VT average |
| Stratton and Shoreham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,208±$979 about the VT average |
$1,306±$335Highest 6% above VT |
| Shoreham and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125 18% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,750Highest 6% below VT |
$4,713 6% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
33.3%±48.3 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% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79% VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1974Lowest 2 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 35% above VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
26 min 11% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
15.9%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Shoreham 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 | — | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| 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.