Compare towns

Fair Haven vs Dorset vs Hampton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fair Haven has the youngest population (median age 39.2).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($167k 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.

MeasureFair HavenDorsetHampton
People
Population
2,724Highest
2,092
1,145Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
39.2±7.6Lowest
about the U.S. average
45.9±7.5Highest
18% above U.S.
43.1±14.7
11% above U.S.
Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.4%±5.1
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.9%±6.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Dorset and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
18.4%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±4.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
23.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
72.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
15.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.1%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.2%±3.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Fair Haven and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$62,404±$16kLowest
23% below U.S.
$111,250±$40kHighest
38% above U.S.
$73,796±$8k
9% below U.S.
Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$176,500±$14k
47% below U.S.
$569,200±$57kHighest
71% above U.S.
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$830±$116Lowest
41% below U.S.
$1,420±$296Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,264±$375
11% below U.S.
Dorset and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,865
24% above U.S.
$7,489Highest
140% above U.S.
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
50.9%±20.9
U.S.: 51.1%
74.4%±22.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
13.2%±25.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dorset and Fair Haven are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
18.9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
16.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.6%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1972
8 yrs older than U.S.
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
22 minLowest
18% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
Work from home
4.3%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.3%±7.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
7.8%±8.4
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #66 of 70 in VT — —
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 —
High school in town Fair Haven Union Middle and High School None in town —
Students per teacherat that high school
12.8
— —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet 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.