Compare towns
Dorset vs Nelson vs Danby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Danby has the most affordable homes ($272k 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 | Nelson | Danby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092Highest |
648Lowest |
1,133 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
42.3±11.7Lowest 9% above U.S. |
52.6±4.8Highest 35% above U.S. |
| Danby and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.5 U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.6%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Nelson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.8%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Nelson 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
61.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.8%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Dorset and Danby 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. |
$99,792±$23k 24% above U.S. |
$77,321±$13kLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Nelson 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. |
$340,900±$49k about the U.S. average |
$272,400±$41kLowest 18% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,203±$243 15% below U.S. |
$794±$166Lowest 44% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Nelson 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. |
$5,575 79% above U.S. |
$4,543Lowest 46% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±68.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±34.6 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Danby 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% |
1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
89.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
24 min 8% below U.S. |
30 minHighest 12% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
31.5%±8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Nelson 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 | Nelson School District | 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 Our Story | None yet | 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.