Compare towns
Sutton vs Benson vs Dorset vs Derby Line
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).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Derby Line has the most affordable homes ($201k 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 | Sutton | Benson | Dorset | Derby Line |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 790 |
784 |
2,092Highest |
783Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8% VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
46.7±13.3 8% above VT |
| Benson and Derby Line 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% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
22.6%±8.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Derby Line 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%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
24.9%±6.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Derby Line 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% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
35.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
3.4%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $71,250±$18kLowest 12% below VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
$71,518±$25k 12% below VT |
| Dorset 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 |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$201,000±$52kLowest 37% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$835±$334Lowest 32% below VT |
| Dorset and Benson 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 |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$3,275Lowest 35% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.8%±31.1 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
35.4%±24.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Benson 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% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
83% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1956Lowest 20 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
24 min 3% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.5%±9.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset 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 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | — |
| 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 | 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.