Compare towns

Dover vs Putney vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).

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.

MeasureDoverPutneyWheelock
People
Population
1,466
2,622Highest
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+60%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
53.5±8.3Highest
24% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
10.2%±5.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.5%±6.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
18.1%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
Dover and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
48.6%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±2.9Lowest
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$52,313±$7kLowest
36% below VT
$79,706±$18kHighest
about the VT average
$64,792±$20k
20% below VT
Putney and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$332,900±$55kHighest
5% above VT
$300,000±$44k
5% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Dover and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$670±$49Highest
46% below VT
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
—
Dover and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,510
10% below VT
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.1%±17.2
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Putney and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.1%
VT: 73.2%
72.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 min
6% below VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
28 minHighest
17% above VT
Work from home
23.2%±11.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Dover and Wheelock 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 River Valleys Unified School District #73 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 —
High school in town None in town None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.