Compare towns
Stockbridge vs Arlington vs Benson
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stockbridge has the oldest population (median age 55.3).
Arlington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
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 | Stockbridge | Arlington | Benson |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 791 |
2,598Highest |
784Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.4% VT: +2.8% |
+6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 55.3±5.3Highest 28% above VT |
37.6±4Lowest 13% below VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
| Stockbridge and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 9.9%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.6%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Arlington and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.9%±3.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Stockbridge and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35% VT: 43.8% |
55.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.1%±1.2Lowest VT: 7% |
3.3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,109±$12kLowest 5% below VT |
$102,308±$11kHighest 26% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $283,500±$26k 10% below VT |
$318,500±$59kHighest about the VT average |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
| Arlington and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,140±$126 8% below VT |
$1,191±$172Highest 3% below VT |
$1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
| Arlington and Stockbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,488 11% below VT |
$4,549Highest 10% below VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 53.3%±22Lowest VT: 48.4% |
77.1%±9.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Arlington and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 3.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
1966Lowest 10 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 17% above VT |
20 minLowest 13% below VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
| Work from home | 28.6%±12.2 VT: 16.9% |
35.9%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Arlington and Stockbridge 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 | — | #50 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 | Arlington School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None in town | Arlington Memorial | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.6 |
— |
| 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.