Compare towns
Halifax vs Dorset vs Colrain
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Colrain has the oldest population (median age 49.6).
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 | Halifax | Dorset | Colrain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 847Lowest |
2,092Highest |
1,627 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.6±13.1Lowest 4% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5 18% above U.S. |
49.6±8.7Highest 28% above U.S. |
| Colrain and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 25.4%±5.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5 U.S.: 22% |
15.3%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Halifax and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±7.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.4%±4.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 44.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.2%±0.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $63,889±$7kLowest 21% below U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$80,673±$10k about the U.S. average |
| Dorset and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $267,500±$21kLowest 20% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$284,300±$14k 15% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $875±$154Lowest 38% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296Highest about the U.S. average |
$1,102±$77 22% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,991 60% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$4,317Lowest 38% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 57.1%±73.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±22.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1968 12 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Highest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 23% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 27% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 29.9%±11.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Halifax and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Halifax School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Mohawk Trail |
| 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 |
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.