Compare towns
Danby vs Exeter vs Dorset vs Pawlet
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).
Exeter has the most affordable homes ($243k median).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Pawlet has the most renters (12.2% rent).
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 | Exeter | Dorset | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
913Lowest |
2,092Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-14.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 35% above U.S. |
51.7±12.6 33% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S. |
47.9±7.5 23% above U.S. |
| Danby and Exeter 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% |
22.7%±7.1 U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.3%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Exeter 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% |
26.9%±10.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.3%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Pawlet and Exeter 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% |
28.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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 4% below U.S. |
$77,550±$19k 4% below U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Exeter 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. |
$243,000±$89kLowest 27% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$266,200±$44k 20% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 44% below U.S. |
$867±$44 39% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,153±$215 18% below U.S. |
| 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 46% above U.S. |
$2,926Lowest 6% below U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$3,924 26% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.6%±21.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| 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% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
97.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1964Lowest 16 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 12% above U.S. |
29 min 9% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
33 minHighest 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.4%±10.4 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.4%±8.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Pawlet 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 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| 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 | 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.