Compare towns

Sheffield vs Benson vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sheffield has the most kids (34.7% under 18).
Benson has the most expensive homes ($242k median).
Wheelock has the most homeowners (97.9%).

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.

MeasureSheffieldBensonWheelock
People
Population
190Lowest
784Highest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-7.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
32.5±2.3Lowest
25% below VT
51.9±9.4Highest
20% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Benson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
34.7%±13.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5
VT: 17.9%
Sheffield and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.2%±14Lowest
VT: 21.4%
26.9%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
16.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
32.6%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±5.8Lowest
VT: 7%
7%±5.8Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Benson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$65,795±$12k
19% below VT
$78,625±$8kHighest
3% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Benson and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$122,700±$70kLowest
61% below VT
$242,000±$26kHighest
24% below VT
$189,600±$37k
40% below VT
Benson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,219±$563Highest
about the VT average
$1,113±$170Lowest
10% below VT
—
Sheffield and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$1,714Lowest
66% below VT
$4,125Highest
18% below VT
$2,937
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
36.4%±100
VT: 48.4%
53.4%±35.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Benson and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.3%
VT: 73.2%
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1975
1 yr older than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
12% below VT
32 minHighest
35% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
8.6%±6.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±5.4
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock and Benson 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 —
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.