Compare towns
Orange vs Benson vs Groton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Orange has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.2%).
Benson has the most people working from home (18.6%).
Groton has the youngest population (median age 45.7).
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 | Orange | Benson | Groton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 957 |
784Lowest |
967Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.3±5.3 17% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
45.7±5.8Lowest 6% above VT |
| Benson and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.6%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.3%±2.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Benson and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.4%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.5%±3 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 22.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.6% VT: 43.8% |
38.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.4%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
7.5%±5.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Groton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $71,302±$13kLowest 12% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$77,250±$14k 5% below VT |
| Benson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $222,000±$22kLowest 30% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$243,000±$70kHighest 23% below VT |
| Groton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,330±$153Highest 8% above VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$288±$151Lowest 77% below VT |
| Orange and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,545Lowest 30% below VT |
$4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,659 27% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±87Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
12.5%±72.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.8% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minLowest 19% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
30 min 29% above VT |
| Work from home | 13.5%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.3%±7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — |
| High school 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.