Compare towns
Rupert vs Benson vs Pawlet vs Sandgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the most expensive homes ($363k median).
Benson has the most renters (19.1% rent).
Pawlet has the most kids (20.3% under 18).
Sandgate has the most people working from home (34.6%).
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 | Rupert | Benson | Pawlet | Sandgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676 |
784 |
1,480Highest |
435Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-3.6% VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
47.9±7.5Lowest 11% above VT |
55.7±5.4 29% above VT |
| Rupert and Sandgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
20.3%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
13.1%±7.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Pawlet and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
26%±11.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.6% VT: 43.8% |
37.5% VT: 43.8% |
37.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
4.4%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.3%±2.4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36kHighest 9% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below VT |
$69,167±$19k 15% below VT |
| Rupert and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63kHighest 14% above VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$266,200±$44k 16% below VT |
$193,800±$31kLowest 39% below VT |
| Rupert and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,153±$215Highest 7% below VT |
— |
| Pawlet and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594Highest 9% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$3,924 22% below VT |
$2,778Lowest 45% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
42.6%±21.3 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10%Highest VT: 10.1% |
9.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
94.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1975Highest 1 yr older than VT |
1964 12 yrs older than VT |
1959 17 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 minLowest 14% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
27 min 16% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
20.4%±8.3 VT: 16.9% |
34.6%±32.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Sandgate and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Mettawee School District #84 | — |
| High school 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.