Compare towns

Dorset vs Jamaica

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%).
Jamaica has the most affordable homes ($348k 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.

MeasureDorsetJamaica
People
Population
2,092Highest
882Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.9±7.5Lowest
6% above VT
55.1±5.5Highest
28% above VT
Jamaica 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
VT: 17.9%
13.7%±6.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and Jamaica 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%
30%±8.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
Jamaica and Dorset 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%
48.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.9%±3.6Highest
VT: 7%
Jamaica 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
$79,219±$19kLowest
about the VT average
Dorset and Jamaica 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
$347,800±$50kLowest
10% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
$870±$464Lowest
29% below VT
Dorset and Jamaica 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
$4,773Lowest
5% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
7.1%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Jamaica 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%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
1976Highest
same as VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
8% below VT
23 minHighest
4% below VT
Work from home
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.2%±12.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Jamaica 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 West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.