Compare towns
Danby vs Dorset vs Highgate 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).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
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 | Dorset | Highgate | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133Lowest |
2,092 |
3,528Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-3.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
44±7.4Lowest about the VT average |
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% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
20.3%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset 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% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 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% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
37.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
4.4%±2.9Highest VT: 7% |
| Pawlet 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 |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below VT |
| Dorset and Highgate 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 |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$266,200±$44kLowest 16% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$1,153±$215 7% below VT |
| Dorset 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 |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$3,924 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
42.6%±21.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Pawlet 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% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1964Lowest 12 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
20.4%±8.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset 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 | — | — | #43 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.8 |
— |
| 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.