Compare towns
Strafford vs Benson vs Chittenden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Chittenden has the most homeowners (93.5%).
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 | Strafford | Benson | Chittenden |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,372Highest |
784Lowest |
1,318 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.4±4.7 19% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
50.8±6.3Lowest 18% above VT |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
13.8%±2.5Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.1%±3.4 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.8%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
51.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.1%±2.6 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
3.8%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$106,250±$28k 31% above VT |
| Strafford and Chittenden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$346,800±$35k 10% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,125±$789Highest 9% below VT |
$1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,125±$488Highest 9% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$5,346 6% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
14.8%±55.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
6.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 88.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.5%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest about the VT average |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
28 min 21% above VT |
| Work from home | 16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
15%±3.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Strafford School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Barstow Unified Union School District #49 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.