Compare towns
Danby vs Orange vs Ware vs Dorset
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).
Orange has the most affordable homes ($246k median).
Ware has the oldest housing (typical home built 1960).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
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 | Orange | Ware | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133Lowest |
7,573 |
10,048Highest |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 35% above U.S. |
41.8±2.2Lowest 7% above U.S. |
43.1±4.7 11% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
| Danby and Dorset 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% |
22.2%±3.8 U.S.: 22% |
19.1%±3.5 U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Danby and Dorset 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% |
15.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
24% U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.2Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Ware 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. |
$55,824±$10kLowest 31% below U.S. |
$67,475±$15k 16% below U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above 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. |
$245,900±$18kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$289,700±$28k 13% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166 44% below U.S. |
$775±$233Lowest 45% below U.S. |
$1,043±$109 26% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
| Dorset and Ware 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. |
$4,136Lowest 33% above U.S. |
$4,237 36% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
41%±11.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
64.3%±16.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Ware are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
22.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
70%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
72.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1966 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1960Lowest 20 yrs older than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 12% above U.S. |
33 minHighest 24% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
6.6%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.3%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #275 of 282 in MA | #267 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Orange · Ralph C Mahar | Ware | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| High school in town | None in town | Ralph C Mahar Regional | Ware Junior/Senior High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.0Lowest |
11.1Highest |
— |
| 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.