Compare towns
Union vs Benson vs Hope
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Union has the most kids (24.9% under 18).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Hope has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.5%).
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 | Union | Benson | Hope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,663Highest |
784Lowest |
1,748 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 41.6±5.3Lowest 7% above U.S. |
51.9±9.4Highest 33% above U.S. |
44.6±3.1 15% above U.S. |
| Benson and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24.9%±4Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.3%±5.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Union and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.4%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
26.9%±4.2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Benson and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
32.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
47.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.5%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
7%±5.8Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Benson and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,724±$9k about the U.S. average |
$78,625±$8kLowest about the U.S. average |
$86,766±$6kHighest 7% above U.S. |
| Hope and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,600±$42k 20% below U.S. |
$242,000±$26kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$373,400±$33kHighest 12% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,179±$452 17% below U.S. |
$1,113±$170Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$1,219±$182Highest 14% below U.S. |
| Hope and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,276Lowest 5% above U.S. |
$4,125Highest 32% above U.S. |
$3,842 23% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 24.6%±19.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
53.4%±35.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
37.8%±38.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Benson and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 10.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 1 yr older than U.S. |
1975Lowest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 11% above U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 15.9%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.6%±5.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.3%±10.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Benson and Hope are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | RSU 40/MSAD 40 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Hope Public Schools |
| 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 |
U.S. 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.