Compare towns

Barton vs Dover vs Wells River

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Barton has the most kids (24.1% under 18).
Dover has the most expensive homes ($437k median).
Wells River has the most renters (52.1% rent).

What matters to you?

Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.

MeasureBartonDoverWells River
People
Population
730
33,364Highest
340Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-6.4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+9.2%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
40±5.5
about the U.S. average
36.9±1.9Lowest
5% below U.S.
42.7±12.7Highest
10% above U.S.
Wells River and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
24.1%±5.4Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.9%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17.1%±6.5
U.S.: 22%
Barton and Wells River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.2%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
16.8%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.4%±3.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Barton and Wells River are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
52%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
16.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±1.6
U.S.: 6.4%
6.2%±1.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
0.6%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$40,833±$8k
49% below U.S.
$94,829±$7kHighest
17% above U.S.
$38,688±$5kLowest
52% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$146,900±$30kLowest
56% below U.S.
$436,700±$20kHighest
31% above U.S.
$170,800±$103k
49% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$761±$150Lowest
46% below U.S.
$1,607±$100Highest
14% above U.S.
$900±$336
36% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,185Lowest
about the U.S. average
$8,249Highest
164% above U.S.
$4,154
33% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
58.8%±18.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
48.6%±6.3
U.S.: 51.1%
47.6%±14.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Barton and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
25.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
38.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
52.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
52.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
47.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1945
35 yrs older than U.S.
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
18% above U.S.
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
Work from home
16.5%±10.4
U.S.: 15.1%
18.6%±2.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
5.2%±9.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Dover and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #38 of 70 in VT #64 of 120 in NH —
School district — Dover School District —
High school in town — Dover Senior High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.7
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

U.S. average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.