Compare towns
Benson vs Middlesex vs Proctor vs Orwell
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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Proctor has the shortest commute (22 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 | Middlesex | Proctor | Orwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
1,943Highest |
1,794 |
1,294 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
42.4±6.4Lowest about the VT average |
47.5±7 10% above VT |
| Benson and Orwell 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% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
21.8%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
21.8%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.4%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
24%±3.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Orwell 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% |
28.1% VT: 43.8% |
22.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
3.6%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
3.6%±1.9Lowest 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 |
$74,167±$12k 9% below VT |
$70,417±$22kLowest 13% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$209,900±$17kLowest 34% below VT |
$335,600±$25k 6% above VT |
| Middlesex and Orwell 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 |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,029±$202Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,105±$51 10% below VT |
| 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 18% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,032 20% below VT |
$3,914Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
37.3%±16.2 VT: 48.4% |
62.1%±35.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Orwell 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% |
16.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
10.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
87.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 1 yr older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 35% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
22 minLowest 6% below VT |
27 min 15% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±4.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Proctor Junior/Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.7 |
— |
| 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.