Compare towns
Dorset vs Pittsfield vs Reading
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%).
Pittsfield has the most affordable homes ($313k median).
Reading has the oldest housing (typical home built 1969).
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 | Pittsfield | Reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092Highest |
391Lowest |
699 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.2% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
53.8±3.5Highest 25% above VT |
51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
| Pittsfield and Reading 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% |
13.6%±8.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
30.4%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Pittsfield and Reading 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% |
45.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±3.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5Highest VT: 7% |
| Reading 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 |
$65,852±$12kLowest 19% below VT |
$85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
| Dorset and Reading 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 |
$313,300±$73kLowest about the VT average |
$377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,035±$140Lowest 16% below VT |
$1,100±$331 11% below VT |
| Dorset and Reading 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 |
$5,181Lowest about the VT average |
$5,754 14% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
35.6%±43Lowest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Reading 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% |
8.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
84.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972 4 yrs older than VT |
1977Highest 1 yr newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 8% below VT |
19 minLowest 18% below VT |
33 minHighest 41% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
28.1%±24.1 VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Pittsfield 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 | — | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 |
| High school 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.