Compare towns

Bethel vs Dummerston vs Barnet

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Bethel has the oldest population (median age 50.7).
Dummerston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.1%).
Barnet has the most renters (20.1% 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.

MeasureBethelDummerstonBarnet
People
Population
1,736Lowest
2,090Highest
1,855
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.7±3.7Highest
18% above VT
45.6±11.7Lowest
6% above VT
47.7±5.3
11% above VT
Bethel and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.7%±6Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.6%±4.9
VT: 17.9%
Dummerston and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.5%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
28.8%±3.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
Barnet and Bethel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.7%
VT: 43.8%
58.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.3%±1.6Highest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Highest
VT: 7%
1%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$75,822±$7k
7% below VT
$101,696±$21kHighest
25% above VT
$67,386±$15kLowest
17% below VT
Dummerston and Bethel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$238,000±$41kLowest
25% below VT
$335,300±$22kHighest
6% above VT
$247,900±$24k
22% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,335±$220
8% above VT
$1,392±$126Highest
13% above VT
$974±$72Lowest
21% below VT
Dummerston and Bethel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,168Highest
about the VT average
$4,536
10% below VT
$4,489Lowest
11% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54%±22
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
59.3%±29.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Barnet and Bethel are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.6%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1966Lowest
10 yrs older than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1974Highest
2 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
19% above VT
21 minLowest
11% below VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
7.1%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.3%±4.5
VT: 16.9%
Dummerston and Barnet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district White River Unified School District #79 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Caledonia Cooperative Unified School District #78
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.