Compare towns
Benson vs Halifax vs Sutton
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 oldest population (median age 51.9).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Sutton has the shortest commute (30 min average).
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 | Halifax | Sutton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 784Lowest |
847Highest |
790 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8% VT: +2.8% |
+5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40.6±13.1Lowest 6% below VT |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
| Benson and Sutton 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% |
25.4%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Halifax and Sutton 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% |
22.6%±7.2 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±2.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Halifax 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% |
44.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$63,889±$7kLowest 21% below VT |
$71,250±$18k 12% below VT |
| Benson and Sutton 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 |
$267,500±$21kHighest 16% below VT |
$231,100±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
| Halifax and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Highest 10% below VT |
$875±$154Lowest 29% below VT |
— |
| Benson and Halifax 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 |
$4,991Highest about the VT average |
$3,975Lowest 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Halifax 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 VT: 10.1% |
6% VT: 10.1% |
12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 35% above VT |
33 minHighest 38% above VT |
30 minLowest 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
29.9%±11.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Halifax 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 | Halifax School District | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 |
| 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 |
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.