Compare towns
Halifax vs Sutton vs Benson
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%).
Sutton has the shortest commute (30 min average).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
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 | Sutton | Benson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 847Highest |
790 |
784Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 6% below VT |
46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
| Benson and Sutton 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% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Halifax and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±2.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Halifax 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% |
32.8% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Sutton 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 |
$71,250±$18k 12% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
| Benson and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21kHighest 16% below VT |
$231,100±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
| Halifax and Benson 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±$170Highest 10% below VT |
| Benson and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991Highest about the VT average |
$3,975Lowest 21% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 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% |
12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 38% above VT |
30 minLowest 26% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 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 | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| 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.