Compare towns
Benson vs Middlesex vs Highgate vs Dresden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
Dresden has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
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 | Dresden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
1,943 |
3,528Highest |
551Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
-17.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
44±7.4Lowest 13% above U.S. |
59±2.8Highest 52% above U.S. |
| Dresden 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 U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Benson 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% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.9%±4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Dresden 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
22.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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 about the U.S. average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$81,017±$14k about the U.S. average |
$64,180±$9kLowest 21% below U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26k 27% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$280,500±$21k 16% below U.S. |
$191,500±$48kLowest 42% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170 21% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$895±$691Lowest 37% below U.S. |
$1,066±$109 25% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Benson 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. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$3,558 14% above U.S. |
$3,138Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.5%±11.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±48.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Benson and Dresden 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% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
27 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
1%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.8 |
— |
| 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.