Compare towns
Sheldon vs Benson vs Middlesex vs Highgate
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%).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% 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 | Sheldon | Benson | Middlesex | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,267 |
784Lowest |
1,943 |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% 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 |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
| 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%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Lowest 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% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Highgate 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% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 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 |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
| Middlesex and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,578 29% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below 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% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Highgate 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% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89% VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest 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 |
1980 4 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 |
31 min 32% 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% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Benson 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 | — | — | — | #43 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 9.8 |
| 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.