Compare towns
Benson vs Highgate vs Putney vs Sheldon
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).
Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% 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 | Highgate | Putney | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
3,528Highest |
2,622 |
2,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
40.9±3.5 5% below VT |
| Benson and Highgate 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% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Benson 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% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% VT: 43.8% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
48.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
| Highgate and Putney 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 |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$300,000±$44kHighest 5% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
| Putney and Highgate 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 |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| Sheldon and Benson 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 |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,313Highest 5% above VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Putney 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% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Putney 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 | — | #43 of 70 in VT | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— | — |
| 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.