Compare towns
Dorset vs Benson vs Danby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Benson has the most affordable homes ($242k median).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
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 | Dorset | Benson | Danby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092Highest |
784Lowest |
1,133 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
51.9±9.4 20% above VT |
52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
| Danby and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
34.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Benson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$77,321±$13kLowest 5% below VT |
| Dorset and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,113±$170 10% below VT |
$794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
| Dorset and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$4,125Lowest 18% below VT |
$4,543 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2 VT: 48.4% |
41.4%±34.6Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 8% below VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Benson 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 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | 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 |
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.