Compare towns
Castleton vs Putney vs Benson vs Poultney
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 most kids (18.8% under 18).
Putney has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.1%).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Poultney has the youngest population (median age 34).
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 | Putney | Benson | Poultney |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,453Highest |
2,622 |
784Lowest |
3,010 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.5% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8% VT: +2.8% |
-12%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
37.2±5.2 14% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
34±5.6Lowest 21% below VT |
| Benson and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.8%±6.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
17.8%±3.8 VT: 17.9% |
| Castleton and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 20.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Poultney 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% |
48.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 19.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Lowest VT: 7% |
9.3%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Putney and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $73,854±$23k 9% below VT |
$79,706±$18kHighest about the VT average |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$72,617±$6kLowest 11% below VT |
| Putney 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±$71k 29% below VT |
$300,000±$44kHighest 5% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$206,200±$18kLowest 35% below VT |
| Putney and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,137±$195Highest 8% below VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$913±$84 26% below VT |
| Castleton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$5,313Highest 5% above VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$3,520 30% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 67.7%±21.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
43.3%±17.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Castleton and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 12.5% VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79% VT: 73.2% |
72.8% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
71.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 19 min 17% below VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
29 min 24% above VT |
| Work from home | 6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Putney 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 | #32 of 70 in VT | — | #41 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Poultney High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 10.5 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.