Compare towns

Danby vs Athens vs Dorset

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Athens has the most renters (26.3% rent).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).

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.

MeasureDanbyAthensDorset
People
Population
1,133
431Lowest
2,092Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
47.3±6.5
10% above VT
45.9±7.5Lowest
6% above VT
Danby and Athens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
13.9%±6.5Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
24.3%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
21.9%±4.5
VT: 21.4%
Danby and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.8%
VT: 43.8%
30.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
4.9%±3Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
Athens and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,321±$13k
5% below VT
$68,438±$30kLowest
16% below VT
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
Dorset and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$272,400±$41k
14% below VT
$240,400±$32kLowest
24% below VT
$569,200±$57kHighest
80% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$794±$166Lowest
36% below VT
$1,125±$537
9% below VT
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
Dorset and Athens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,543Lowest
10% below VT
$5,438
8% above VT
$7,489Highest
49% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.4%±34.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
43.5%±39
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Athens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
12.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
11.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.3%
VT: 73.2%
73.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1973
3 yrs older than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
26% above VT
36 minHighest
53% above VT
22 minLowest
8% below VT
Work from home
12.1%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
19.3%±7.5
VT: 16.9%
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Athens are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 — 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.