Compare towns
Charlotte vs Plainfield vs Middlesex vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Charlotte has the highest household income ($144k).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($318k median).
Middlesex has the youngest population (median age 44.4).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
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.
| Measure | Charlotte | Plainfield | Middlesex | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,916Highest |
1,314Lowest |
1,943 |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.2% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.2±5Highest 21% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
| Charlotte and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.6%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Charlotte and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 66.2% VT: 43.8% |
48.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.4%±1.2Lowest VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $144,375±$27kHighest 78% above VT |
$69,250±$31kLowest 15% below VT |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$111,250±$40k 37% above VT |
| Charlotte and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $695,300±$53kHighest 120% above VT |
$318,400±$34kLowest about the VT average |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$569,200±$57k 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,738±$803Highest 41% above VT |
$1,153±$103Lowest 7% below VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
$1,420±$296 15% above VT |
| Charlotte and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,221Highest 83% above VT |
$4,806Lowest 5% below VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$7,489 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.1%±28.6 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 3.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8% VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.5% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 7% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 29.8%±8.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Charlotte and Dorset 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 | #3 of 70 in VT | — | — | — |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| 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 | 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.