Compare towns
Halifax vs Benson vs Guilford
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Guilford has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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 | Halifax | Benson | Guilford |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 847 |
784Lowest |
2,461Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
0% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 6% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
46.7±5.2 8% above VT |
| Benson and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25.4%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
17.5%±4.9 VT: 17.9% |
| Halifax and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.6%±4Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Guilford and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
44.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $63,889±$7kLowest 21% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$75,243±$6k 7% below VT |
| Benson and Guilford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21k 16% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$312,600±$39kHighest about the VT average |
| Guilford and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $875±$154Lowest 29% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,283±$273Highest 4% above VT |
| Guilford and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991 about the VT average |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$5,827Highest 16% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±19.4Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Halifax and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 38% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
16.7%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Halifax and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Halifax School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.