Compare towns
Peacham vs Benson vs Plainfield vs Barnet
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Peacham has the most people working from home (24.2%).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Barnet has the most kids (21.6% 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 | Peacham | Benson | Plainfield | Barnet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 887 |
784Lowest |
1,314 |
1,855Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.3% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.1±5.7 16% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
47.7±5.3Lowest 11% above VT |
| Benson and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±6 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.6%±4.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barnet and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
28.8%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.2% VT: 43.8% |
35.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±4 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
1%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $90,000±$28kHighest 11% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$69,250±$31k 15% below VT |
$67,386±$15kLowest 17% below VT |
| Peacham and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$318,400±$34kHighest about the VT average |
$247,900±$24k 22% below VT |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,028±$248 17% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,153±$103Highest 7% below VT |
$974±$72Lowest 21% below VT |
| Plainfield and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,605Highest 11% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,806 5% below VT |
$4,489 11% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 66.7%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
59.3%±29.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest same as VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
28 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 24.2%±16.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4 VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±4.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Peacham and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Peacham School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — | Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78 |
| 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 | 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.