Compare towns
Danby vs Guildhall vs Wells 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).
Guildhall has the youngest population (median age 42.6).
Wells has the most affordable homes ($243k median).
Dorset has the most people working from home (29.3%).
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 | Guildhall | Wells | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
371Lowest |
1,148 |
2,092Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— | +5.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
42.6±7.8Lowest about the VT average |
50.7±5.2 18% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
| Danby and Wells 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% |
22.6%±7.5 VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Guildhall 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% |
26.1%±5.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
24.5%±2.2 VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Guildhall and Wells 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% |
33.9% VT: 43.8% |
29.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
1.1%±3.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Wells 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 |
$115,000±$46kHighest 42% above VT |
$75,417±$11kLowest 7% below VT |
$111,250±$40k 37% above VT |
| Guildhall and Dorset 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 |
$321,200±$62k about the VT average |
$243,000±$42kLowest 23% below VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$850±$717 31% below VT |
$1,313±$282 6% above VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
| Dorset and Wells 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 |
$4,625 8% below VT |
$3,308Lowest 34% below VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
75%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
62.5%±100 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Guildhall and Dorset 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% |
11.9% VT: 10.1% |
15.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
93.4% VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1958Lowest 18 yrs older than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
48 minHighest 102% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
2.3%±2.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±6.2 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | — | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| 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 |
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.