1st Advantage MortgageBennington County households have a median income of $73,325 and median rent of $1,109 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Bennington County
- Paychecks and income spread in Bennington County
- Renting and owning in Bennington County
- The Bennington County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Bennington County
- How Bennington County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Bennington County
- Borrowing situations common in Bennington County
- More Bennington County figures
- Licensing and complaints for Bennington County
- Steps before you apply in Bennington County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Bennington County
Bennington County is home to about 37,269 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 8th most populous of 14 county-level areas in Vermont. It covers 674 square miles of land, or about 55 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Bennington County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 24 places in the county (12 incorporated, 12 census-designated); the largest is Bennington, with about 9,245 residents, or 25% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Bennington County
Half of Bennington County households take in less than $73,325 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Vermont median of $81,203. In the state ranking that is 9th of 14.
| Income band | Share in Bennington County | Difference from Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.0% | +6.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.0% | -4.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.0% | -2.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 11.0% | 0.0 pts |
Some 27% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 11.3% of Bennington County residents in poverty, against 10.1% across Vermont. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.517 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Bennington County median.
Renting and owning in Bennington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,109 in Bennington County versus $1,234 statewide. 64% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 39% spend half or more. With a median value of $279,900, a typical Bennington County house costs 3.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%.
| Bennington County | Vermont | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,109/mo | $1,234/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $279,900 | $316,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 73% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 64% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 29% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Bennington County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
The Bennington County job picture
The biggest employer of Bennington County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 29% of workers, followed by retail trade (15%). Compared with Vermont, the county leans toward retail trade (15% against 11%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.4% in Bennington County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 18% work from home.
| Sector | Bennington County | Compared with Vermont |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.7% | -0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.8% | +3.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.8% | +0.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | -0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Bennington County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Bennington County
The table lists the 14 largest of 24 Census places in Bennington County, by population. Together all 24 hold about 26,147 people, so roughly 30% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $54,257 in Bennington to $95,500 in Winhall. Rent is cheapest in Manchester ($650) and steepest in North Bennington ($1,447). This guide covers each of the 24 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington | CDP | 9,245 | $54,257 | $1,115 | 12 mi |
| Shaftsbury | town | 3,607 | $86,071 | $1,079 | 6 mi |
| Manchester Center | CDP | 2,037 | $54,808 | $1,023 | 11 mi |
| Arlington | CDP | 1,623 | $76,250 | $1,164 | 3 mi |
| North Bennington | village | 1,336 | $68,571 | $1,447 | 10 mi |
| Sunderland | town | 1,269 | $88,523 | $1,413 | 4 mi |
| Winhall | town | 752 | $95,500 | $1,094 | 12 mi |
| Manchester | village | 676 | $74,659 | $650 | 9 mi |
| Rupert | town | 676 | $88,229 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Pownal | CDP | 570 | $63,523 | n/a | 20 mi |
| South Shaftsbury | CDP | 566 | $61,161 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Stamford | CDP | 466 | $87,500 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Pownal Center | CDP | 456 | $62,985 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Sandgate | town | 435 | $69,167 | n/a | 11 mi |
How Bennington County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 20 to 41 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Saratoga County leads the group on income ($100,787), Rutland County trails ($68,616), and Bennington County out-earns 2 of the six. Some neighbors are in Massachusetts and New York. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Bennington County resident follows Vermont rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington County | - | $73,325 | $1,109/mo | 74% |
| Windham County, VT | 20 mi | $72,217 | $1,056/mo | 74% |
| Washington County, NY | 25 mi | $73,495 | $1,033/mo | 77% |
| Rensselaer County, NY | 30 mi | $87,915 | $1,217/mo | 65% |
| Saratoga County, NY | 38 mi | $100,787 | $1,394/mo | 72% |
| Rutland County, VT | 40 mi | $68,616 | $1,000/mo | 75% |
| Franklin County, MA | 41 mi | $74,907 | $1,177/mo | 70% |
Room for a loan payment in Bennington County
Here is the Bennington County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $73,325 a year is $6,110 of gross monthly income
- Rent at the median, $1,109, takes 18% of that
- $1,091: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,518 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Bennington County's.
Borrowing situations common in Bennington County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Bennington County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- 64% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
More Bennington County figures
Degree holders: 42% of adults over 25. 5.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Bennington County | All of Vermont | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 43.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 41.8% | 43.8% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.6% | 5.1% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.4% | 3.9% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.7% | 16.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.3% | 10.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 3.6% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 44.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Bennington County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Bennington County, check the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Vermont guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Bennington County
Steps that save money for Bennington County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Vermont guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Bennington County household make?
About $73,325 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 10% below the Vermont median.
How does Bennington County rent compare with Vermont?
$1,109 locally versus $1,234 for the state, 10% below.
What are the biggest places in Bennington County?
By population: Bennington, Shaftsbury, Manchester Center, Arlington, North Bennington. The county has 24 Census places in all.
Can Bennington County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Vermont county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Bennington County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Vermont it is the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation.