Compare towns
Benson vs Ira vs Randolph
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 kids (16.5% under 18).
Ira has the most expensive homes ($273k median).
Randolph has the shortest commute (18 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 | Ira | Randolph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 784 |
381Lowest |
2,007Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | +5.5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
54.1±5.5Highest 26% above VT |
50.5±7.7Lowest 17% above VT |
| Ira and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.5%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
11%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Benson and Randolph 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% |
28.9%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
24.2%±4.9Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ira 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% |
37.1% VT: 43.8% |
42.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
3.4%±3.5Lowest VT: 7% |
7.3%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| 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±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$71,827±$5kLowest 12% below VT |
$75,069±$11k 8% below VT |
| Benson and Randolph 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 |
$272,900±$18kHighest 14% below VT |
$235,400±$25kLowest 26% below VT |
| Ira 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 |
$942±$52Lowest 24% below VT |
$1,095±$198 11% below VT |
| Benson and Randolph 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 |
$4,146 18% below VT |
$4,507Highest 11% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
36.4%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.3%±20.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| 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 VT: 10.1% |
14.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
14.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
53.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1942Lowest 34 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
28 min 20% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
2.3%±2.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.7%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
| 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 | — | — |
| High school in town | None in town | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.