Compare towns
Sutton vs Benson vs Franklin vs Leicester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Sutton has the most affordable homes ($231k median).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Franklin has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3%).
Leicester has the most expensive homes ($310k 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 | Franklin | Leicester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 790 |
784Lowest |
1,590Highest |
1,026 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-10% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
48.8±3.8 13% above VT |
| Benson and Leicester 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%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.9%±5.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
24.5%±6.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Leicester 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% VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
35.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Benson 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 |
$79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
$70,417±$30kLowest 13% below VT |
| Franklin 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±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$309,700±$107kHighest about the VT average |
| Leicester and Franklin 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 |
$891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,098±$300 11% below VT |
| Benson and Leicester 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 |
$3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$3,822 24% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.8%±31.1 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
33.3%±40.4Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Franklin 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% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
11.8% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85% VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.5%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
25 minLowest 8% above VT |
28 min 20% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
12.7%±5.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Franklin 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 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — |
| 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.