Compare towns
Danby vs Topsham 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).
Topsham has the most affordable homes ($223k median).
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 | Topsham | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,133 |
999Lowest |
2,092Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.2% VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
50.1±5.9 16% above VT |
45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
| Danby and Topsham 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% |
18%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Topsham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
23.2%±4.8 VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Danby and Topsham 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% |
28.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
1.7%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| 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 5% below VT |
$72,308±$60kLowest 11% below VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
| 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 14% below VT |
$222,900±$56kLowest 30% below VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$908±$398 26% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
| Dorset and Topsham 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 |
$4,006Lowest 21% below VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
91.9%±28.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5 VT: 48.4% |
| Topsham 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% |
18.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.3% VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
35 minHighest 49% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.2%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | |||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Waits River Union High District #36 | 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 Our Story | 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.