Compare towns
Norwich vs Plainfield vs Hanover vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Norwich has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Plainfield has the most affordable homes ($442k median).
Hanover has the youngest population (median age 21.8).
Dorset has the oldest population (median age 45.9).
Hanover is a college town. 49.8% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.
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 | Norwich | Plainfield | Hanover | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,640 |
2,522 |
8,479Highest |
2,092Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 40.8±3.2 5% above U.S. |
38.9±6.5 about the U.S. average |
21.8±0.3Lowest 44% below U.S. |
45.9±7.5Highest 18% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 24%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
23.4%±5.8 U.S.: 22% |
9.8%±2.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Age 65+ | 16%±3.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.8%±4.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
17.6%±3.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Dorset and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 81% U.S.: 35.7% |
46.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
89.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
49.8%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $140,313±$12k 74% above U.S. |
$122,656±$13k 52% above U.S. |
$153,281±$26kHighest 90% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kLowest 38% above U.S. |
| Hanover and Norwich are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $637,500±$76k 92% above U.S. |
$442,400±$47kLowest 33% above U.S. |
$842,600±$97kHighest 153% above U.S. |
$569,200±$57k 71% above U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,460±$322 3% above U.S. |
$1,674±$181 18% above U.S. |
$2,254±$249Highest 60% above U.S. |
$1,420±$296Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$7,904 153% above U.S. |
$10,000+Highest at least 221% above U.S. |
$7,489Lowest 140% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.7%±19.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
31.8%±23.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
72%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Hanover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 2.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
8% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 71.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
62.4%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1974 6 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 19 min 28% below U.S. |
22 minHighest 17% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 28% below U.S. |
22 min 18% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 21%±5.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±8.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
26.7%±6 U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Hanover 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 | #19 of 120 in NH | #1 of 120 in NH | — |
| School district | Norwich School District | Plainfield School District | — | 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 | 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.