Compare towns

Sutton vs Benson vs Cavendish vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Cavendish has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.8%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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.

MeasureSuttonBensonCavendishWheelock
People
Population
790
784
1,242Highest
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-7.8%
VT: +2.8%
+1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.6±5.7
8% above VT
51.9±9.4Highest
20% above VT
45.2±5.9Lowest
5% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Benson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±4.8
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.6%±2.7Lowest
VT: 21.4%
26.9%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
23.6%±2
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
32.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
39.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
7%±5.8Highest
VT: 7%
4.3%±1.9
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Benson and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$18k
12% below VT
$78,625±$8k
3% below VT
$89,063±$29kHighest
10% above VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Cavendish and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$231,100±$41k
27% below VT
$242,000±$26k
24% below VT
$285,100±$40kHighest
10% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Cavendish and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,113±$170Highest
10% below VT
$1,000±$546Lowest
19% below VT
—
Benson and Cavendish are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,975
21% below VT
$4,125Highest
18% below VT
$3,948
22% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
53.4%±35.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
28.9%±27
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Benson and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
5.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
6.3%
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85%
VT: 73.2%
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.3%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1975
1 yr older than VT
1968Lowest
8 yrs older than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
26% above VT
32 minHighest
35% above VT
19 minLowest
21% below VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
11.6%±5.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±5.4
VT: 16.9%
18.5%±6.6
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Green Mountain Unified School District #77 —
High school in town None in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 18 photos → 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.