Compare towns
Fayston vs Williston vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Fayston has the oldest population (median age 46.9).
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Dorset has the most kids (24% under 18).
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 | Fayston | Williston | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,342Lowest |
10,144Highest |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+16.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 46.9±3.5Highest 9% above VT |
45.4±4.5Lowest 5% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
| Fayston and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 19.3%±3.8Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.6%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 66.9% VT: 43.8% |
54.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±1.8 VT: 7% |
5.7%±2.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Williston and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $110,250±$28k 36% above VT |
$106,967±$12kLowest 32% above VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $502,400±$82k 59% above VT |
$475,800±$40kLowest 50% above VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,654±$274 34% above VT |
$1,832±$130Highest 48% above VT |
$1,420±$296Lowest 15% above VT |
| Williston and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,689 33% above VT |
$5,592Lowest 11% above VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 6.3%±27.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±17.4 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
4.3% VT: 10.1% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87% VT: 73.2% |
75.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1993Highest 17 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 29 minHighest 25% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
22 min 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 26.2%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
22.3%±7.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Fayston 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 | — | #11 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | 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 History | 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.