Compare towns
Dorset vs Middlesex vs Richmond
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 affordable homes ($376k median).
Richmond has the most renters (21.2% rent).
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 | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
1,943Lowest |
4,159Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
+2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Highest 6% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Dorset and Middlesex 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%±3.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Dorset and Middlesex 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%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
59.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest 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 |
$108,235±$24kLowest 33% above 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±$40kLowest 19% above VT |
$432,200±$39k 37% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,333±$359Lowest 8% above VT |
— |
| 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 |
$6,483Lowest 29% above VT |
$6,868 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Below poverty line | 11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 8% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| 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.