Compare towns

Dorset vs Putney vs White River Junction vs Danby

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 expensive homes ($569k median).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
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.

MeasureDorsetPutneyWhite River JunctionDanby
People
Population
2,092
2,622
3,364Highest
1,133Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5%
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+10.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
37.2±5.2
14% below VT
33.7±3.2Lowest
22% below VT
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
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
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±5
VT: 17.9%
14.6%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and White River Junction 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%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
12.5%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
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
VT: 43.8%
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
38.9%
VT: 43.8%
34.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
1.2%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.5%±1.9
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
$79,706±$18k
about the VT average
$77,168±$4kLowest
5% below VT
$77,321±$13k
5% 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
$278,800±$78k
12% below VT
$272,400±$41kLowest
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,222±$216
about the VT average
$794±$166
36% below VT
Dorset and White River Junction 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
$5,651
12% above VT
$4,543Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
42.9%±17.3
VT: 48.4%
41.4%±34.6Lowest
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%
12.1%
VT: 10.1%
9.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
72.8%
VT: 73.2%
43.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
89.3%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
1963Lowest
13 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
8% below VT
18 min
24% below VT
15 minLowest
35% below VT
30 minHighest
26% above VT
Work from home
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
15.7%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Putney 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 — Taconic and Green Regional School District #63
High school in town None in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.