Benson, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 193, Benson's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Benson is a small community located in Vermont, within Rutland County. The total population is 193. It ranks as the 132nd most populous out of 179 Census-designated places in Vermont.

Age Demographics

The median age in Benson is 39.5 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 43.1 years. 24.3% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Benson is $35,917. This is 56% lower than the state median of $81,203. It is also 56% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $228,100. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $316,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 63.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 73.2%.

Race & Ethnicity

Benson has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.4% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.1%).

Education

2.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 95% lower than the state rate of 43.8%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Benson, Vermont is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Vermont state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 179 Census-designated places in Vermont. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.