Compare towns
Ripton vs Benson vs Randolph
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Randolph has the most renters (32.8% rent).
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 | Randolph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 508Lowest |
784 |
4,843Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40.4±7.4Lowest 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% |
17.3%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Randolph 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% |
22.9%±4.2Lowest 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% |
40.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Lowest VT: 7% |
11.2%±2.5 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$76,758±$6kLowest 5% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$278,700±$38k 12% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,172±$173Highest 5% below VT |
| Randolph 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 |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,698 7% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 52.9%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
54.1%±17.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Randolph 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% |
7.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
67.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1973 3 yrs older than VT |
1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min about the VT average |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
21 minLowest 12% below VT |
| Work from home | 17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.9%±4.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Ripton 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 | — | — | #55 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Randolph Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.4 |
| 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.