Compare towns
Dorset vs Peru 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%).
Peru has the most affordable homes ($203k median).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
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 | Peru | Danby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
6,710Highest |
1,133Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
40.7±3.6Lowest 5% 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%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.8%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
14.6%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Peru 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% |
15.4%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.3%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Danby 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 U.S.: 35.7% |
33.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
6.3%±5.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.5%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Peru 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 38% above U.S. |
$101,771±$22k 26% above U.S. |
$77,321±$13kLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Peru 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. |
$203,200±$38kLowest 39% below U.S. |
$272,400±$41k 18% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,067±$173 24% below U.S. |
$794±$166Lowest 44% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Peru 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. |
$4,357Lowest 40% above U.S. |
$4,543 46% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54.8%±25.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
41.4%±34.6Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Peru 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% |
8.9%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
82.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1981Highest 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below U.S. |
21 minLowest 22% below U.S. |
30 minHighest 12% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.2%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
12.1%±5.1 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | #347 of 484 in NY | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | PERU CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| High school in town | None in town | PERU HIGH SCHOOL | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 11.7 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.