Compare towns
Benson vs Middlesex vs Highgate vs Chelsea
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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
Chelsea has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
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 | Middlesex | Highgate | Chelsea |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
1,943 |
3,528Highest |
1,223 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
44±7.4Lowest about the VT average |
54.1±12.1Highest 26% above VT |
| Chelsea 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% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.9%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Chelsea and Middlesex 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% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
29.4%±3.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chelsea 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% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
29.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
4.8%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Middlesex 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 3% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$65,913±$13kLowest 19% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$260,900±$39k 18% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,524±$467Highest 24% above VT |
| Chelsea and Middlesex 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 |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$3,762 25% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
66.3%±33.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Chelsea 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
14.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
81.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1967Lowest 9 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
30 min 28% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
12.6%±7.8Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Benson 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 | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | First Branch Unified School District #82 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | 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.