What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).

Jackson has the most affordable homes ($235k median).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Dorset	Jackson
People
Population	2,092Highest	1,695Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+5%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-4.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S.	56.9±3.6Highest 46% above U.S.
	Jackson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22%	14.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	33.4%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	32.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.8%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4%	1.8%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
	Dorset and Jackson 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 38% above U.S.	$77,375±$8kLowest 4% below U.S.
	Dorset and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S.	$235,400±$40kLowest 29% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average	$1,139±$43Lowest 19% below U.S.
	Dorset and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$7,489Highest 140% above U.S.	$4,165Lowest 34% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	74.4%±22.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1%	77.8%±44.7Highest U.S.: 51.1%
	Jackson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	7.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	90.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	91.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1972Highest 8 yrs older than U.S.	1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	22 minLowest 18% below U.S.	34 minHighest 30% above U.S.
Work from home	29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1%	11.1%±3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
School district	Taconic and Green Regional School District #63	—
High school in town	None in town	—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.