Compare towns
Danby vs Benson vs Wardsboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.1%).
Benson has the most people working from home (18.6%).
Wardsboro has the most kids (18.8% 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 | Danby | Benson | Wardsboro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,133Highest |
784Lowest |
820 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
51.6±7.3Lowest 20% above VT |
| Danby and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Wardsboro and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wardsboro and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$62,000±$6kLowest 24% below VT |
| Benson and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$299,300±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,479±$224Highest 20% above VT |
| Wardsboro and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543Highest 10% below VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,345 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
54.5%±58Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Wardsboro and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
27 minLowest 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.