Compare towns
Sutton vs Benson vs Williston vs Waterville
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 homeowners (85%).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Waterville has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Williston | Waterville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 790 |
784 |
10,144Highest |
680Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8% VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.6±5.7 8% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
45.4±4.5Lowest 5% above VT |
49.1±8.2 14% above VT |
| Benson and Waterville 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% |
20.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±8.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Williston and Waterville 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% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
14.4%±3.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Sutton 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% |
54.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.8Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7 VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.3 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Williston 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 |
$106,967±$12kHighest 32% above VT |
$71,250±$27kLowest 12% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $231,100±$41kLowest 27% below VT |
$242,000±$26k 24% below VT |
$475,800±$40kHighest 50% above VT |
$236,300±$15k 25% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$1,110±$93Lowest 10% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,975 21% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$5,592Highest 11% above VT |
$3,957Lowest 21% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 37.8%±31.1Lowest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±27.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Williston 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% VT: 10.1% |
4.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
79.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
38 minHighest 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 11.6%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
8.5%±3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Williston and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #11 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A |
| High school in town | None 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.