Compare towns

Dorset vs Newfane vs Middlesex

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%).
Newfane has the most affordable homes ($284k median).
Middlesex has the most homeowners (96.7%).

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.

MeasureDorsetNewfaneMiddlesex
People
Population
2,092Highest
1,456Lowest
1,943
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+2.8%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
54.4±3.9Highest
26% above VT
44.4±3.9Lowest
3% 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%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.3%±3.1
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%
29.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.6%±3.7Lowest
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%
46.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
54.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
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
$66,719±$21kLowest
18% below VT
$109,632±$13k
35% 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
$284,200±$49kLowest
10% below VT
$376,300±$40k
19% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
$1,266±$238Lowest
about the VT average
$1,333±$359
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
$5,174Lowest
about the VT average
$6,483
29% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
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%
10.9%
VT: 10.1%
3.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
87.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
8% below VT
27 min
13% above VT
27 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
29.3%±7.5
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
28.4%±10.7Lowest
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 West River Valley Union Education District #72A Washington Central Unified Union School District #92
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.