Compare towns

Dorset vs Norwich vs Pomfret

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dorset has the most homeowners (90.7%).
Norwich has the highest household income ($140k).
Pomfret has the most affordable homes ($399k 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.

MeasureDorsetNorwichPomfret
People
Population
2,092
3,640Highest
908Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% below VT
53.4±12.1Highest
24% above VT
Pomfret 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%
24%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Age 65+
21.9%±4.5
VT: 21.4%
16%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.5%±6.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
Pomfret 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%
VT: 43.8%
81%Highest
VT: 43.8%
58%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
4.8%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
1.4%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
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
37% above VT
$140,313±$12kHighest
73% above VT
$84,229±$8kLowest
4% above VT
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
80% above VT
$637,500±$76kHighest
101% above VT
$399,200±$144kLowest
26% above VT
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
15% above VT
$1,460±$322Highest
18% above VT
$1,170±$98Lowest
5% below VT
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
49% above VT
$10,000+Highest
at least 98% above VT
$6,722Lowest
33% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.7%±19.9
VT: 48.4%
24%±22.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Below poverty line
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
2.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.8%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
71.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.3%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1970Lowest
6 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
8% below VT
19 minLowest
19% below VT
24 minHighest
about the VT average
Work from home
29.3%±7.5
VT: 16.9%
21%±5.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.3%±10.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Pomfret 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 Norwich School District Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76
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.