Compare towns
Castleton vs Plainfield vs Benson vs Hubbardton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Castleton has the youngest population (median age 38.3).
Plainfield has the most expensive homes ($318k median).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Hubbardton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
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 | Castleton | Plainfield | Benson | Hubbardton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,453Highest |
1,314 |
784Lowest |
831 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.5% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+4.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.3±4.3Lowest 11% below VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
48±13.6 11% above VT |
| Benson and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
19.4%±6.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Hubbardton and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±4.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
32.1%±10.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Hubbardton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 37.9% VT: 43.8% |
48.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
43.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$69,250±$31kLowest 15% below VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$102,321±$18kHighest 26% above VT |
| Hubbardton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$318,400±$34kHighest about the VT average |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$293,800±$42k 7% below VT |
| Plainfield and Hubbardton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$1,153±$103 7% below VT |
$1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,708±$259Highest 38% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,806 5% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$5,284Highest 5% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 67.7%±21.9 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
55.6%±100 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
94.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1973 3 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 19 minLowest 17% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
32 min 35% above VT |
33 minHighest 42% above VT |
| Work from home | 6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
24%±17.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Hubbardton 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 | #39 of 70 in VT | — | — | — |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | — | None in town | — |
| 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.