Compare towns

Newfields vs Norwich vs Dorchester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Newfields has the most people working from home (25.5%).
Norwich has the most kids (24% under 18).
Dorchester has the most affordable homes ($140k 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.

MeasureNewfieldsNorwichDorchester
People
Population
2,023
3,640Highest
410Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
44.1±1.8
13% above U.S.
40.8±3.2Lowest
5% above U.S.
56±10.5Highest
44% above U.S.
Dorchester and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.9%±1.6
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
11.2%±4.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Norwich and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
13.6%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
16%±3.4
U.S.: 17.2%
39.8%±15.5Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
81%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
35.8%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
4.8%±2.4
U.S.: 6.4%
0.5%±3.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$140,313±$12kLowest
74% above U.S.
—
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$637,500±$76k
92% above U.S.
$139,600±$133kLowest
58% below U.S.
Newfields and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$1,460±$322Lowest
3% above U.S.
—
Newfields and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,779Lowest
21% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
43.3%±40.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
30.7%±19.9
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Newfields and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
18.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
71.9%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
96.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1982
2 yrs newer than U.S.
1973Lowest
7 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 min
about the U.S. average
19 minLowest
28% below U.S.
40 minHighest
52% above U.S.
Work from home
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
21%±5.3
U.S.: 15.1%
12.2%±8.8Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfields and Norwich 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 — #1 of 70 in VT —
School district Newfields School District Norwich School District —
High school 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.