Compare towns
Benson vs Middlesex vs Proctor 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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Proctor has the most affordable homes ($210k median).
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 | Middlesex | Proctor | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784Lowest |
1,943 |
1,794 |
2,267Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
42.4±6.4 about the VT average |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
| Benson and Middlesex 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%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Proctor 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% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
22.4%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Proctor 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% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
3.6%±1.7 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest 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±$12kLowest 9% below VT |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$209,900±$17kLowest 34% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,029±$202Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
| Middlesex and Sheldon 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 |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
37.3%±16.2 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Proctor 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% |
5.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
89% 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 |
1984 8 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 |
25 min 7% 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 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 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| 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 |
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| 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.