Compare towns
Benson vs Danby vs Randolph vs Putnam
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%).
Danby has the most expensive homes ($272k median).
Randolph has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
Putnam has the highest household income ($92k).
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 | Danby | Randolph | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
1,133 |
2,007Highest |
540Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
52.6±4.8 35% above U.S. |
50.5±7.7Lowest 30% above U.S. |
53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Danby 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% |
14.6%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
11%±5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Putnam 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% |
24.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.2%±4.9Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
42.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.3%±4.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Randolph and Benson 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 |
$77,321±$13k 4% below U.S. |
$75,069±$11kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$92,344±$14kHighest 14% above U.S. |
| Putnam 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. |
$272,400±$41kHighest 18% below U.S. |
$235,400±$25kLowest 29% below U.S. |
$266,200±$48k 20% below U.S. |
| Danby and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Highest 21% below U.S. |
$794±$166Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$1,095±$198 23% below U.S. |
— |
| Benson and Randolph 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. |
$4,543Highest 46% above U.S. |
$4,507 45% above U.S. |
$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±34.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
54.3%±20.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Randolph 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
9.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
14.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
89.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
53.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1942Lowest 38 yrs older than U.S. |
1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
30 min 12% above U.S. |
18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
21 min 19% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
17.7%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.6%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Randolph 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 | — | — | #55 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | — | PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 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.