Compare towns
Dorset vs Unity vs Manchester
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%).
Unity has the most affordable homes ($276k median).
Manchester has the shortest commute (14 min average).
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 | Unity | Manchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
1,375Lowest |
4,486Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
54.5±6.3 40% above U.S. |
| Unity and Manchester 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% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.9%±4.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
25.7%±4.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Unity and Manchester 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% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
47.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.8%±3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Manchester 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. |
$87,500±$16kLowest 8% above U.S. |
$94,886±$23k 18% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Manchester 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. |
$276,100±$29kLowest 17% below U.S. |
$454,600±$47k 37% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
$1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
$1,057±$76Lowest 25% below U.S. |
| Unity and Dorset 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. |
$5,394Lowest 73% above U.S. |
$5,923 90% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
56.5%±13.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 11.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
16.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
73.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 18% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
14 minLowest 45% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
23.1%±5.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Manchester 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 | — | — | #37 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Unity School District | 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 | 4 photos → | 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.