Compare towns
Dorset vs Worcester vs Manchester
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%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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 | Worcester | Manchester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
831Lowest |
4,486Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
54.5±6.3Highest 26% above VT |
| Manchester and Worcester 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% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
25.7%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Manchester 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% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
47.4%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
5.8%±3 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Manchester 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 |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$94,886±$23k 17% above VT |
| 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 80% above VT |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
$454,600±$47k 44% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,057±$76 14% below VT |
| Dorset and Manchester 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 |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
$5,923 18% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
56.5%±13.9 VT: 48.4% |
| 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% VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
73.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 8% below VT |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
14 minLowest 39% below VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±5.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Worcester 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | 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 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.