CountyScore

Bennington County

Vermont · VT

#9 in Vermont
63
County Score

County Report Card

About Bennington County, Vermont

Solid Performance Above National Norm

Bennington County's composite score of 63.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 13 percentage points. This reflects above-average livability compared to most U.S. counties.

Slightly Below Vermont Peers

At 63.0, Bennington trails Vermont's state average of 64.0, placing it in the middle tier of Vermont counties. The gap is modest, indicating solid fundamentals.

Affordability and Health Care

Bennington shines in housing affordability with a cost score of 69.7, paired with reasonable rental costs at $1,063/month. Health outcomes are respectable at 79.0, reflecting accessible medical services.

Income and Risk Present Headwinds

The income score of 30.1 is among the lowest in Vermont, with median household income at just $71,494. The risk score of 47.7 also suggests elevated vulnerability to environmental or economic shocks.

Best for Budget-Conscious Retirees

Bennington works well for lower-income households and retirees seeking affordability in a scenic setting. Prospective residents should be prepared for limited high-wage job opportunities and moderate climate or economic risks.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax54.2Cost69.7SafetyComing SoonHealth79SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.1Risk47.7WaterComing Soon
🏛54.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤79
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡47.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Bennington County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Shasta County
California
63
Median income: $71,931
Escambia County
Florida
63
Median income: $65,715
Walton County
Florida
63
Median income: $79,281
Mason County
Illinois
63
Median income: $62,127
Yates County
New York
63
Median income: $67,521

Deep Dives

Bennington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Bennington County

via TaxByCounty

Bennington taxes significantly above national average

At 1.708%, Bennington County's effective tax rate substantially exceeds the national median of 1.099%, placing it in approximately the 79th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $4,396 is 64% higher than the national median of $2,690.

Slightly above Vermont's statewide norm

Bennington County's 1.708% effective rate sits just below Vermont's state average of 1.718%, ranking it slightly above middle among the state's counties. Its median tax of $4,396 falls modestly below the state average of $4,648.

Comparable to Addison, higher than Franklin

Bennington's 1.708% rate closely mirrors Addison County's 1.693% to the north, while significantly exceeding Franklin County's 1.486% to the northwest. The county sits in a mid-range tax position within southern Vermont.

Median home taxed at roughly $4,396 annually

On a median home value of $257,400, the 1.708% effective rate produces an estimated annual tax of $4,396. Owners with mortgages pay approximately $4,442, while those without mortgages pay around $4,313.

Assessment appeals could recover overpayments

Research indicates that approximately one in three homeowners face inflated assessments relative to fair market value, resulting in unnecessary tax payments. If your home's assessed value seems out of line with comparable properties, contacting your town assessor about an appeal could yield real savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Bennington County

via CostByCounty

Bennington matches Vermont's affordability average

Bennington County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% aligns perfectly with Vermont's state average, though its median household income of $71,494 trails the national median of $74,755 by roughly 4%. This means Bennington residents pay a typical Vermont share of their income toward housing but earn somewhat less than the average American household.

Right in the middle of Vermont's range

Bennington's 17.8% rent-to-income ratio matches the state average exactly, placing it neither among Vermont's most nor least affordable counties. With a median home value of $257,400, Bennington offers more modest housing prices than the state's western counties while maintaining reasonable rental costs.

Affordable rents, lower incomes than neighbors

Bennington's median rent of $1,063 is the lowest among its peers, undercutting even Caledonia's $904 less often than nearby counties like Addison ($1,201). However, incomes here are lower than most surrounding counties, which partially offsets the rent advantage in affordability calculations.

Split between renters and homeowners

Renters in Bennington pay $1,063 monthly while homeowners face $1,277 in mortgage and taxes, with median household income of $71,494 supporting these costs. Housing consumes 17.8% of the typical household budget—right at the state average and below the financially safe 30% threshold.

Balanced affordability for budget-conscious movers

Bennington delivers steady, middle-of-the-road housing costs without premium job-market wages, making it ideal if you value predictability and lower absolute rent. If seeking stronger income prospects, look northeast to Chittenden; if you prioritize rock-bottom costs, explore Caledonia or Essex.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Bennington County

via IncomeByCounty

Bennington lags slightly behind nation

Bennington County's median household income of $71,494 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by about 4%. While below the national average, the county remains solidly middle-class with income levels supported by manufacturing, healthcare, and education.

Middle-ranked among Vermont counties

Bennington ranks 7th of 14 Vermont counties, below the state average of $75,043 by $3,549. The county's per capita income of $43,214 slightly exceeds the state mean, suggesting wages are more evenly distributed.

Below Addison, above Lamoille

Bennington's $71,494 median sits $16,984 below Addison County but $1,597 above Lamoille County. The county's income position reflects its economy's reliance on heritage industries and tourism rather than high-growth sectors.

Housing costs require discipline

Bennington's rent-to-income ratio of 17.8% keeps housing costs manageable but approaching the 20% concern threshold. With a median home value of $257,400, first-time buyers should expect to stretch their budgets or build savings first.

Maximize your earning potential

At $71,500 median household income, Bennington families have modest but meaningful capacity to build wealth through intentional saving. Prioritize a starter emergency fund, then explore tax-advantaged retirement accounts and side income to accelerate long-term gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Bennington County

via HealthByCounty

Bennington lags behind national health

Life expectancy in Bennington County stands at 76.7 years, roughly 0.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years. With 12.9% of residents reporting poor or fair health compared to the national 17.9%, the county shows mixed health outcomes.

Below-average health in Vermont

Bennington's 76.7-year life expectancy falls 1.5 years short of Vermont's 78.2-year average, placing it in the lower half of state rankings. The county's 12.9% poor/fair health rate mirrors statewide trends but reflects ongoing health challenges.

Among state's shortest lifespans

Bennington matches Caledonia at 76.7 years, tying for the lowest life expectancy among its peers and neighboring counties. Its 12.9% poor/fair health rate ranks mid-range regionally, better than Essex (16.0%) but worse than Addison (10.2%).

Solid provider access, higher uninsured

Bennington has 115 primary care providers and 522 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering competitive access to care. However, 5.2% of residents lack insurance—slightly above the state average of 5.1%—creating gaps in coverage.

Explore coverage options in Bennington

With 1 in 20 Bennington residents uninsured, closing coverage gaps is a priority for community health. Visit Vermont's health marketplace or call 1-800-250-8427 to find affordable plans that meet your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Bennington County

via RiskByCounty

Bennington faces moderate national risk

Bennington County's composite risk score of 52.32 earns a "Relatively Low" rating, placing it above many U.S. counties but still in a manageable risk band. This score reflects elevated flood exposure alongside moderate earthquake and hurricane vulnerabilities.

Higher risk than most Vermont counties

Bennington ranks as one of Vermont's riskier counties with a score well above the state average of 36.44. Only Chittenden County exceeds Bennington's risk profile among the eight counties analyzed.

Flood risk stands out in southern region

Bennington's flood risk score of 64.54 significantly exceeds neighboring Addison County (47.71) and most other Vermont counties. This elevation reflects the county's topography and proximity to major river valleys including the Walloomsac and Deerfield rivers.

Flooding and hurricanes dominate threats

Bennington's top risk comes from flooding (64.54), driven by heavy precipitation and river overflow in its mountainous terrain. Hurricane risk (71.88) ranks second highest in the state, making wind and water damage serious concerns for residents.

Flood insurance is essential protection

Given Bennington's elevated flood risk—the highest among most Vermont counties—NFIP flood insurance should be a priority for properties in flood-prone zones. Homeowners outside mapped flood zones should still consider coverage, as nearly 20% of flood claims come from areas with minimal flood risk.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.