Compare towns
Manchester vs Ludlow vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Manchester has the shortest commute (14 min average).
Ludlow has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.6%).
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 | Manchester | Ludlow | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,486Highest |
1,990Lowest |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+10.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 54.5±6.3Highest 26% above VT |
52.2±6.2 21% above VT |
45.9±7.5Lowest 6% above VT |
| Manchester and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 16.9%±4.5 VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 25.7%±4.6 VT: 21.4% |
31.1%±2Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Ludlow and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 47.4% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±3Highest VT: 7% |
5.8%±6.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $94,886±$23k 17% above VT |
$54,885±$14kLowest 32% below VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $454,600±$47k 44% above VT |
$370,200±$46kLowest 17% above VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,057±$76Lowest 14% below VT |
$1,112±$151 10% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
| Dorset and Ludlow are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,923 18% above VT |
$4,890Lowest about the VT average |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 56.5%±13.9 VT: 48.4% |
45.2%±25.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Manchester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 73.8% VT: 73.2% |
71.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1982Highest 6 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 14 minLowest 39% below VT |
20 min 14% below VT |
22 minHighest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 23.1%±5.2 VT: 16.9% |
21.3%±5.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Manchester 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 | #37 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Ludlow Mt. Holly Unified Union School District #83 | 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 Our Story | 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.