Compare towns
Sheldon vs Benson vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Sheldon | Benson | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,267Highest |
784Lowest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Benson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
32.6% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
| Middlesex and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.1% VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 13%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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 |
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.