Compare towns
Dorset vs Middlesex vs Newfane
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%).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).
Newfane has the most affordable homes ($284k 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.
| Measure | Dorset | Middlesex | Newfane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092Highest |
1,943 |
1,456Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
54.4±3.9Highest 26% above VT |
| Newfane 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% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Newfane 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% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Middlesex 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 |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$66,719±$21kLowest 18% below VT |
| Dorset and Middlesex 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 |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$284,200±$49kLowest 10% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,333±$359 8% above VT |
$1,266±$238Lowest about the VT average |
| Dorset and Middlesex 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 |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$5,174Lowest about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Newfane 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 8% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
27 min 13% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Newfane and Dorset 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A |
| 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.