Compare towns
Benson vs Middlesex vs Randolph vs Putnam
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
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%).
Randolph has the most renters (32.8% rent).
Putnam has the oldest population (median age 53.6).
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 | Randolph | Putnam |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 784 |
1,943 |
4,843Highest |
540Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.9±9.4 33% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
40.4±7.4Lowest 4% above U.S. |
53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S. |
| Putnam and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
17.3%±4.4 U.S.: 22% |
17.4%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Putnam 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% |
22.9%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
40.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7%±5.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6 U.S.: 6.4% |
11.2%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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±$8k about the U.S. average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$76,758±$6kLowest 5% below U.S. |
$92,344±$14k 14% above U.S. |
| Middlesex and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$278,700±$38k 16% below U.S. |
$266,200±$48k 20% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,113±$170Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$1,172±$173 17% below U.S. |
— |
| Middlesex and Randolph 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. |
$4,698 51% above U.S. |
$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.4%±35.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.1%±17.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| 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% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
67.2%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
95.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
27 min 4% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 22% below U.S. |
21 min 19% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±5.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.9%±4.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.6%±5.7Lowest 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 | — | — | #55 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 | PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Randolph Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.4 |
— |
| 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.