Compare towns

Mendon vs Dorset vs Salisbury

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Salisbury has the most affordable homes ($307k 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.

MeasureMendonDorsetSalisbury
People
Population
1,113Lowest
2,092Highest
1,200
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+7.5%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
53.4±10.5Highest
24% above VT
45.9±7.5Lowest
6% above VT
50.6±6.5
17% above VT
Mendon and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.6%±3.2
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and Salisbury are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29%±1.3
VT: 21.4%
21.9%±4.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30.4%±2.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Salisbury and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
49.4%
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.1%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Mendon and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,524±$23k
24% above VT
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
$99,688±$21kLowest
23% above VT
Dorset and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$357,000±$44k
13% above VT
$569,200±$57kHighest
80% above VT
$306,900±$51kLowest
3% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,230±$651Lowest
about the VT average
$1,420±$296
15% above VT
$1,443±$984Highest
17% above VT
Salisbury and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,342
6% above VT
$7,489Highest
49% above VT
$4,842Lowest
4% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
88.6%±42.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5
VT: 48.4%
31.9%±22.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Mendon and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
88.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
17 minLowest
28% below VT
22 minHighest
8% below VT
19 min
20% below VT
Work from home
22.5%±8.9
VT: 16.9%
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
6%±2.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55
High school 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.