Compare towns
Franklin vs Benson vs Enosburgh vs Richford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franklin has the shortest commute (25 min average).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Richford has the most affordable homes ($177k median).
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 | Franklin | Benson | Enosburgh | Richford |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,590 |
784Lowest |
2,804Highest |
2,467 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | +1.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40.6±3.9 6% below VT |
39±3.6 10% below VT |
| Benson and Enosburgh are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
21.8%±4 VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
17.9%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
23.4%±4.4 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Richford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.7% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
20.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
20.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
5.4%±2.4Lowest VT: 7% |
6.4%±3.6 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$63,828±$17k 21% below VT |
$56,853±$13kLowest 30% below VT |
| Franklin and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $247,400±$66kHighest 22% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$223,100±$39k 30% below VT |
$176,600±$16kLowest 44% below VT |
| Franklin and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $891±$266 28% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$852±$87Lowest 31% below VT |
$1,160±$66Highest 6% below VT |
| Richford and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,384 33% below VT |
$4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,624 28% below VT |
$3,300Lowest 35% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.5%±42.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
48.9%±11.2 VT: 48.4% |
55.1%±15.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Richford and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
13.9% VT: 10.1% |
19.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
75.7% VT: 73.2% |
70.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
32 minHighest 36% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
10.1%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
9.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Franklin 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 | — | — | #26 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Enosburgh-Richford Unified Union School District #88 | Enosburgh-Richford Unified Union School District #88 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Enosburg Falls Middle/High School | Richford Junior/Senior High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.4Highest |
9.1Lowest |
| 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.