Compare towns
Orleans vs Benson vs Barton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Orleans has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.7%).
Benson has the most expensive homes ($242k median).
Barton has the most kids (24.1% 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 | Orleans | Benson | Barton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 809Highest |
784 |
730Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 41.7±5.8 3% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40±5.5Lowest 7% below VT |
| Benson and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.7%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 24.8% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.1 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $57,159±$10k 30% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $156,300±$18k 51% below VT |
$242,000±$26kHighest 24% below VT |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $810±$94 34% below VT |
$1,113±$170Highest 10% below VT |
$761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,019Lowest 40% below VT |
$4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,185 37% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 27.3%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.2% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 64.1% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
52.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1945 31 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 33% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
31 minLowest 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 8.3%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Barton 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 | — | — | #38 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — |
| High school 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.