Compare towns
Benson vs Danby vs Ripton 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 affordable homes ($242k median).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Shoreham has the most kids (18% 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 | Danby | Ripton | Shoreham |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
1,133 |
508Lowest |
1,269Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
51.8±7.2 20% above VT |
| Danby 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% |
14.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Shoreham 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 VT: 21.4% |
24.3%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.1%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton 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 VT: 43.8% |
34.8% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
36.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
1.7%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$77,321±$13kLowest 5% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$93,654±$23k 15% above VT |
| Ripton 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±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$316,400±$34k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Shoreham 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 |
$794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
— | $1,306±$335Highest 6% above VT |
| Shoreham and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,543 10% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,713 6% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
33.3%±48.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89.3% VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
26 min 11% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
15.9%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 |
| 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.