Compare towns
Dorset vs Nelson vs Norwich
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 the oldest population (median age 45.9).
Nelson has the most affordable homes ($341k median).
Norwich has the highest household income ($140k).
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 | Norwich |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
648Lowest |
3,640Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Highest 18% above U.S. |
42.3±11.7 9% above U.S. |
40.8±3.2Lowest 5% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.1Lowest 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%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
24.8%±2Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
16%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Nelson 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
61.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
81%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Norwich 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±$40k 38% above U.S. |
$99,792±$23kLowest 24% above U.S. |
$140,313±$12kHighest 74% above U.S. |
| Norwich and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $569,200±$57k 71% above U.S. |
$340,900±$49kLowest about the U.S. average |
$637,500±$76kHighest 92% above U.S. |
| Norwich and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
$1,203±$243Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,460±$322Highest 3% above U.S. |
| Norwich and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $7,489 140% above U.S. |
$5,575Lowest 79% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±68.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
30.7%±19.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Nelson 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% |
2.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
71.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1975 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below U.S. |
24 minHighest 8% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
31.5%±8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21%±5.3Lowest 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 | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #1 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Nelson School District | Norwich School District |
| 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.