Compare towns
Stratton vs Ripton vs Benson vs Belvidere
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stratton has the most kids (28% under 18).
Ripton has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Belvidere has the most affordable homes ($239k 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 | Stratton | Ripton | Benson | Belvidere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 532 |
508 |
784Highest |
422Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
40.7±6.5 6% below VT |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
22%±4 VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 11.7%±4 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
8.8%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 33.2% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
1.4%±1.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$112,917±$15k 39% above VT |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$81,563±$18k about the VT average |
| Stratton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$394,400±$61k 25% above VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$239,200±$51kLowest 24% below VT |
| Stratton and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,208±$979 about the VT average |
— | $1,113±$170Lowest 10% below VT |
$1,542±$1kHighest 25% above VT |
| Belvidere and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,750 6% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$3,908Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±53.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Belvidere and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
5.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
86.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 12 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 39% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
32 min 35% above VT |
38 minHighest 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | — |
| 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.