Compare towns
Dorset vs Worcester vs Underhill
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).
Underhill has the youngest population (median age 38.1).
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 | Underhill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,092 |
831Lowest |
3,141Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
38.1±11.4Lowest 12% below VT |
| Worcester and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.5 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
27.8%±10.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Underhill and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 21.9%±4.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
17.6%±6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Dorset and Worcester 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% |
50.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
3.5%±2 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Underhill 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 |
$92,267±$54k 14% above VT |
| Dorset and Underhill 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 |
$446,000±$24k 41% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
$1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
— |
| Dorset and Worcester 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 |
$6,697 33% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
0%±18.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Worcester 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% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
6.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
79.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 22 minLowest 8% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
19.4%±11.3Lowest 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 | — | — | #2 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| 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.