Compare towns

Stockbridge vs Calais 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 most people working from home (28.6%).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
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.

MeasureStockbridgeCalaisBenson
People
Population
791
1,713Highest
784Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.4%
VT: +2.8%
+3.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-7.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
55.3±5.3Highest
28% above VT
42±8.6Lowest
about the VT average
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%
22.5%±5.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
Calais 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%
21.6%±5.2Lowest
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%
55.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.1%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
7.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
7%±5.8
VT: 7%
Calais and Benson 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
$100,625±$27kHighest
24% above VT
$78,625±$8k
3% below VT
Calais and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$283,500±$26k
10% below VT
$390,300±$36kHighest
23% above VT
$242,000±$26kLowest
24% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,140±$126
8% below VT
$1,408±$392Highest
14% above VT
$1,113±$170Lowest
10% below VT
Calais 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
$6,586Highest
31% above VT
$4,125Lowest
18% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
53.3%±22
VT: 48.4%
49%±38.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
53.4%±35.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Benson and Stockbridge 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%
8.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.4%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85%
VT: 73.2%
92.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1976
same as VT
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
17% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
32 minHighest
35% above VT
Work from home
28.6%±12.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.4%±7.1
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Stockbridge and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Rochester Stockbridge Unified School District #81 Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62
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.