At a Glance
Median Income
$33,214
$22,494 per capita
Home Value
$164,100
Zillow: $306,411
Median Rent
$1,094/mo
51.0% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
1.6%
84.3% high school+
Unemployment
12.3%
0.0% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
34.4%
13.0% smoking rate
How Benson Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Benson's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Benson a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.5 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Benson residents earn a median household income of $33,214 , which is 56% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $22,494. The unemployment rate stands at 12.3% (242% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 2,662 business establishments, including 209 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Benson is $164,100 , 42% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $306,411. Median rent is $1,094/month, with 51.0% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 98.0 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1963.
Education
1.6% of adults in Benson hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(95% below the national average).
84.3% have completed high school. Local schools score 5.8/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
Benson has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C).
Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 42.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
Data Overview
People
Population191
Median Age34.9 yrs
Density49/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Foreign Born2.6%
Veterans12.2%
Economy
C+
Median Income$33,214
Per Capita$22,494
Unemployment12.3%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$3,787M
Avg Weekly Wage$1,130
Housing
B+
Home Value$164,100
Rent$1,094
Ownership55.7%
Zillow$306,411
Housing Units126
Rent Burden51.0%
Health
Obesity34.4%
Diabetes7.1%
Smoking13.0%
Heart Disease4.8%
Premature Death9,134/100K
Climate
Avg Temp48°F
Rain42.5 in/yr
AQI37 (Good)
Elevation358 ft
Education
F
Bachelor's+1.6%
High School+84.3%
Graduate+1.2%
School Score5.8/10
Community
2024 VoteR 46% / D 51%
Commute27 min
Broadband53.4%
Internet Speed132 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries21
Did You Know?
The median home in Benson was built in 1963.
The nearest airport is Rutland/Southern Vermont Regional (22 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.457 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Relatively Low" by FEMA.
12.0% of the population has a disability.
Average internet download speed is 132 Mbps.
There are 209 restaurants in the area.
The county recorded 7 fatal vehicle crashes.