Compare towns
Benson vs Dover vs Putnam vs Waterville
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Putnam has the most homeowners (95.9%).
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 | Dover | Putnam | Waterville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
1,466Highest |
540Lowest |
680 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+60%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+1.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
53.5±8.3 38% above U.S. |
53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S. |
49.1±8.2Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Dover 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% |
10.2%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
20.4%±8.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Waterville and Putnam 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% |
29.5%±6.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
14.4%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Putnam and Dover 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% |
48.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
32.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±2.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.3%±3.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Waterville 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 |
$52,313±$7kLowest 35% below U.S. |
$92,344±$14kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$71,250±$27k 12% below 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. |
$332,900±$55kHighest about the U.S. average |
$266,200±$48k 20% below U.S. |
$236,300±$15kLowest 29% below U.S. |
| Dover 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. |
$670±$49Lowest 53% below U.S. |
— | $1,110±$93 21% below U.S. |
| Benson and Waterville 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. |
$4,510Highest 45% above U.S. |
$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$3,957 27% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
38.1%±17.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.6%±27.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Benson and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
81.1% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 20% above U.S. |
22 min 17% below U.S. |
21 minLowest 19% below U.S. |
38 minHighest 42% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
23.2%±11.1Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.6%±5.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.5%±3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dover and Benson 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 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | PUTNAM CENTRAL 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 |
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.