Compare towns
Dover vs Shelburne vs Newfane vs Fairlee
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%).
Shelburne has the most expensive homes ($588k median).
Newfane has the most homeowners (87.2%).
Fairlee has the most affordable homes ($274k 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.
| Measure | Dover | Shelburne | Newfane | Fairlee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,466 |
7,969Highest |
1,456 |
1,066Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+8% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 53.5±8.3 24% above VT |
50.9±3.2Lowest 18% above VT |
54.4±3.9 26% above VT |
56.2±8.7Highest 30% above VT |
| Fairlee and Newfane 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% |
20.2%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.1%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
12.2%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Shelburne and Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 21.4% |
33.4%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Fairlee and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.9% VT: 43.8% |
70.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
4.7%±2.9 VT: 7% |
2.4%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Fairlee and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
$115,963±$16kHighest 43% above VT |
$66,719±$21k 18% below VT |
$74,760±$10k 8% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $332,900±$55k 5% above VT |
$588,100±$44kHighest 86% above VT |
$284,200±$49k 10% below VT |
$274,200±$39kLowest 13% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
$1,442±$589Highest 17% above VT |
$1,266±$238 about the VT average |
$1,083±$242 12% below VT |
| Shelburne and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,510Lowest 10% below VT |
$8,173Highest 62% above VT |
$5,174 about the VT average |
$5,617 11% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.1%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
43.7%±10.6 VT: 48.4% |
51.9%±79.7 VT: 48.4% |
89.2%±71.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Fairlee and Newfane 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% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
10.9% VT: 10.1% |
14.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.1% VT: 73.2% |
69.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 22 min 6% below VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
27 minHighest 13% above VT |
24 min 3% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.2%±11.1 VT: 16.9% |
31.4%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
30.8%±12.5 VT: 16.9% |
15%±7.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Shelburne and Newfane 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 | — | #8 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | River Valleys Unified School District #73 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | Rivendell Interstate School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.