Compare towns
Ripton vs Benson vs Belvidere
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ripton has the most expensive homes ($394k median).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Belvidere has the most kids (22% 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 | Ripton | Benson | Belvidere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 508 |
784Highest |
422Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40.7±6.5Lowest 6% below VT |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
22%±4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Belvidere and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
8.8%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
1.4%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$81,563±$18k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$239,200±$51kLowest 24% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,542±$1kHighest 25% above VT |
| Belvidere and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$3,908Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.9%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±53.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Belvidere and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest about the VT average |
32 min 35% above VT |
38 minHighest 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±7.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | 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.