Bennington, Vermont Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools
Bennington is located in the southwestern corner of Vermont and has a population of 15,764, according to the 2019 US census. The geography of Bennington is characterized by its rolling hills and valleys, with elevations ranging from 600 to 3,800 feet. The climate is generally mild and humid with cold winters and warm summers. Bennington’s history dates back to 1749 when it was first settled by settlers from New Hampshire. The city later became an important industrial center during the 19th century thanks to its abundance of limestone deposits and iron ore. Politically, Bennington is a Democratic stronghold, having voted consistently for Democratic presidential candidates since 1988.
The economy of Bennington is largely driven by tourism, agriculture and education. In addition to being home to several colleges and universities like Southern Vermont College and Vermont Technical College, Bennington also has a thriving arts community with numerous galleries, theaters and museums. In terms of landmarks, the centerpiece of the city is its covered bridge which was built in 1879 across the Walloomsac River in downtown Bennington. The bridge has been designated as a National Historic Landmark since 1972 due to its remarkable engineering feats at the time of its construction. Other notable landmarks include Monument Circle which commemorates the Battle of Bennington fought during the Revolutionary War; Old First Church; Park-McCullough House; Robert Frost Stone House Museum; as well as various state parks and forests such as Woodford State Park and Green Mountain National Forest that surround Bennington offering ample opportunities for outdoor recreation activities like hiking, camping and skiing.
Population: 15,737. Estimated population in July 2024: 15,375 (-2.3% change)
Males: 7,323 (46.5%), Females: 8,414 (53.5%)
Bennington County
Demographics
Median resident age: 37.9 years
Median household income: $33,706
Median house value: $98,400
Population by Race
Races in Bennington:
- White Non-Hispanic (96.3%)
- Hispanic (1.0%)
- Two or more races (1.0%)
- American Indian (0.7%)
- Black (0.6%)
Ancestries: Irish (19.0%), English (16.1%), French (14.9%), German (10.7%), Italian (7.2%), United States (6.9%).
Elevation: 681 feet
Land area: 4.9 square miles
Population by Education
Neah Bennington is a small town in Vermont with a population of just over 4,000 people. It is located in the southwestern corner of the state and is known for its picturesque views of the Green Mountains. The majority of the population consists of families, but there are also many retirees who choose to call Neah Bennington home. The median household income is around $51,000 per year and most households have two adults and one or two children.
The cost of living in Neah Bennington is relatively low compared to other towns in Vermont. Housing prices are quite reasonable, with an average home costing around $250,000. Utilities are also affordable and taxes are relatively low, making Neah Bennington an attractive option for those looking to move to Vermont without breaking the bank. There are plenty of local amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, and parks that offer residents a taste of small-town life without having to sacrifice the convenience of larger cities nearby. Additionally, there are numerous outdoor activities available for those who want to explore all that Vermont has to offer.
For population 25 years and over in Bennington
- High school or higher: 81.7%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher: 21.2%
- Graduate or professional degree: 8.3%
- Unemployed: 5.2%
- Mean travel time to work: 16.2 minutes
For population 15 years and over in Bennington town
- Never married: 28.9%
- Now married: 50.9%
- Separated: 1.5%
- Widowed: 8.4%
- Divorced: 10.3%
2.9% Foreign born (1.1% Europe, 0.8% North America, 0.6% Asia).
Population change in the 1990s: -263 (-1.6%).
Hospitals
Hospital/medical center in Bennington:
- SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER (100 HOSPITAL DR EAST)
Other hospitals/medical centers near Bennington:
- NORTH ADAMS REGIONAL HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; NORTH ADAMS, MA)
- MARY MCCLELLAN HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; CAMBRIDGE, NY)
- BERKSHIRE MEDICAL CENTER INC (about 30 miles; PITTSFIELD, MA)
Airports
Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Bennington:
- FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL (about 43 miles; GLENS FALLS, NY; Abbreviation: GFL)
- ALBANY INTL (about 44 miles; ALBANY, NY; Abbreviation: ALB)
- RUTLAND STATE (about 48 miles; RUTLAND, VT; Abbreviation: RUT)
Other public-use airports nearest to Bennington:
- WILLIAM H. MORSE STATE (about 3 miles; BENNINGTON, VT; Abbreviation: DDH)
- HARRIMAN-AND-WEST (about 14 miles; NORTH ADAMS, MA; Abbreviation: AQW)
- CHAPIN FLD (about 17 miles; CAMBRIDGE, NY; Abbreviation: 1B8)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/Universities in Bennington:
- BENNINGTON COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 631; Location: One College Drive; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.bennington.edu; Offers Master’s degree)
- SOUTHERN VERMONT COLLEGE (Full-time enrollment: 350; Location: 982 MANSION DR; Private, not-for-profit; Website: www.svc.edu)
Colleges and Universities
Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bennington:
- WILLIAMS COLLEGE (about 14 miles; WILLIAMSTOWN, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,047)
- RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE (about 35 miles; TROY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 7,150)
- HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 35 miles; TROY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 6,337)
- SIENA COLLEGE (about 42 miles; LOUDONVILLE, NY; Full-time enrollment: 3,001)
- SUNY EMPIRE STATE COLLEGE (about 43 miles; SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY; Full-time enrollment: 4,499)
- SKIDMORE COLLEGE (about 43 miles; SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,317)
- ADIRONDACK COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 46 miles; QUEENSBURY, NY; Full-time enrollment: 2,182)
Schools
Public high schools in Bennington:
- MT. ANTHONY SR. UHSD #14 (Students: 1,238; Location: 301 PARK STREET EXTENSION; Grades: 09 – 12)
- SW VT CAREER DEVELOPMENT CT (Location: 321 PARK STREET; Grades: 09 – 12)
Private high school in Bennington:
- BENNINGTON SCHOOL INC (Students: 101; Location: 19 FAIRVIEW ST; Grades: 4 – 12)
Public primary/middle schools in Bennington:
- MT. ANTHONY UNION MIDDLE SC (Students: 579; Location: 640 MAIN STREET; Grades: 07 – 08)
- MOLLY STARK SCHOOL (Students: 349; Location: 1 ORCHARD STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
- CATAMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 302; Location: 230 SCHOOL STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
- BENNINGTON ELEM. SCHOOL (Students: 280; Location: 128 PARK STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
- MONUMENT SCHOOL (Students: 136; Location: WEST MAIN STREET; Grades: KG – 06)
- SOUTHWEST VERMONT S.U. (Students: 65; Location: 246 SOUTH STREAM ROAD; Grades: PK – PK)
- WOODFORD HOLLOW SCHOOL (Students: 26; Location: 995 VT ROUTE 9; Grades: KG – 06)
Private primary/middle schools in Bennington:
- SACRED HEART SCHOOL (Students: 216; Location: 307 SCHOOL STREET; Grades: KG – 8)
- GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (Students: 97; Location: PO BOX 4130; Grades: KG – 7)
- EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (Students: 68; Location: BENNINGTON COLLEGE; Grades: PK – KG)
- HILAND HALL SCHOOL (Students: 24; Location: RR2 BOX 1700; Grades: UG – UG)
- FORREST WARD MEMORIAL SCHOOL (Students: 9; Location: RR2 BOX 1045 HOUGHTON LANE; Grades: 1 – 6)
Libraries
Library in Bennington:
- BENNINGTON FREE (Operating income: $370,451; Location: 101 SILVER ST.; 56,503 books; 2,023 audio materials; 1,757 video materials; 173 serial subscriptions)