Compare towns

Charlotte vs Stratton 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 most expensive homes ($695k median).
Stratton has the youngest population (median age 31.5).
Dorset has the shortest commute (22 min average).

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.

MeasureCharlotteStrattonDorset
People
Population
3,916Highest
532Lowest
2,092
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.2±5Highest
21% above VT
31.5±4.1Lowest
27% below VT
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
Charlotte and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.6%±4.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
28%±7.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5
VT: 17.9%
Stratton and Dorset 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%
11.7%±4Lowest
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%
33.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.4%±1.2
VT: 7%
1.3%±2.8Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
Dorset and Charlotte 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
$122,708±$33k
51% above VT
$111,250±$40kLowest
37% above VT
Charlotte and Stratton 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
$400,000±$50kLowest
26% above VT
$569,200±$57k
80% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,738±$803Highest
41% above VT
$1,208±$979Lowest
about the VT average
$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
$4,750Lowest
6% below VT
$7,489
49% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
56.1%±28.6
VT: 48.4%
12%±69.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Charlotte are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.7%
VT: 10.1%
0%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.5%Highest
VT: 73.2%
73.3%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1988Highest
12 yrs newer than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
7% above VT
33 minHighest
39% above VT
22 minLowest
8% below VT
Work from home
29.8%±8.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
3.3%±3.5Lowest
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 — Taconic and Green Regional School District #63
High school 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.