Compare towns
Dorset vs Sheldon 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).
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 | Sheldon | Danby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
2,267Highest |
1,133Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% 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% |
23.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Sheldon 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% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest 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% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
34.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Dorset and Danby 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 |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$77,321±$13kLowest 5% below VT |
| Dorset and Sheldon 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 |
$272,400±$61kLowest 14% below VT |
$272,400±$41kLowest 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
| Dorset and Sheldon 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 |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,543 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Danby 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% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
89%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89.3% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 8% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
30 minHighest 26% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | |||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | 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 | 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.