Compare towns
Danby vs Calais vs Putney vs Pawlet
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).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Pawlet has the most affordable homes ($266k 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.
| Measure | Danby | Calais | Putney | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133Lowest |
1,713 |
2,622Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+3.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
42±8.6 about the VT average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
47.9±7.5 11% above VT |
| Danby and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
20.3%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Calais and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Pawlet and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
37.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
4.4%±2.9 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$100,625±$27kHighest 24% above VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below VT |
| Calais and Putney 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 |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$266,200±$44kLowest 16% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166 36% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,153±$215 7% below VT |
| Calais and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543 10% below VT |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$3,924Lowest 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
42.6%±21.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4% VT: 10.1% |
8.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
10% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1964Lowest 12 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
20.4%±8.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Calais and Pawlet 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 | — | — | #32 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.