Compare towns
Danby vs Dorset vs Jay
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
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%).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($197k 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 | Jay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,133Lowest |
2,092 |
2,354Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 35% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S. |
48.8±4.6 25% above U.S. |
| Danby and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
16%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.3%±4.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jay 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.7%±1.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dorset and Danby 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 4% below U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$72,380±$19kLowest 10% below U.S. |
| 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 18% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$196,900±$22kLowest 41% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,272±$366 10% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543 46% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$3,741Lowest 20% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
27.4%±21.1Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
88.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 minHighest 12% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.8%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 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 |
U.S. 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.