Compare towns
Washington vs Benson vs Orange vs Wheelock
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.7%).
Benson has the highest household income ($79k).
Orange has the youngest population (median age 50.3).
Wheelock has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
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 | Washington | Benson | Orange | Wheelock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,056Highest |
784 |
957 |
717Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2% VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
50.3±5.3Lowest 17% above VT |
51±5.6 18% above VT |
| Washington and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 16.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
15.6%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.4%±4Lowest 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+ | 31% VT: 43.8% |
32.6% VT: 43.8% |
22.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
34.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $66,103±$8k 19% below VT |
$78,625±$8kHighest 3% below VT |
$71,302±$13k 12% below VT |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
| Benson and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $217,700±$37k 31% below VT |
$242,000±$26kHighest 24% below VT |
$222,000±$22k 30% below VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
| Benson and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Lowest 19% below VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$1,330±$153Highest 8% above VT |
— |
| Orange and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485 31% below VT |
$4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,545 30% below VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±87Lowest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.4% VT: 10.1% |
7.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1989Highest 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
28 min 19% above VT |
28 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
13.5%±4.3Lowest 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 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | — |
| 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.