Compare towns

Dorset vs Putney vs Newfane

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%).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).

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.

MeasureDorsetPutneyNewfane
People
Population
2,092
2,622Highest
1,456Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
54.4±3.9Highest
26% 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%
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and Putney 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%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9Highest
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%
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
46.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$66,719±$21kLowest
18% below VT
Dorset and Putney 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
$300,000±$44k
5% below VT
$284,200±$49kLowest
10% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,266±$238
about the VT average
Dorset and Newfane 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
$5,313
5% above VT
$5,174Lowest
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.2%
VT: 10.1%
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
10.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.2%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
8% below VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
27 minHighest
13% above VT
Work from home
29.3%±7.5
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Newfane 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 — #32 of 70 in VT —
School district Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 West River Valley Union Education District #72A
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.