Compare towns

Orwell vs Cabot vs Orange

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Orwell has the most expensive homes ($336k median).
Cabot has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.7%).
Orange has the most affordable homes ($222k 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.

MeasureOrwellCabotOrange
People
Population
1,294
1,579Highest
957Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%
VT: +2.8%
+0.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.5±7
10% above VT
40.3±6.6Lowest
6% below VT
50.3±5.3Highest
17% above VT
Orange and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±5.4
VT: 17.9%
27.2%±5.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.6%±4.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Cabot and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24%±3.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
21%±6.4
VT: 21.4%
19.4%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Orwell and Cabot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
44.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
22.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.9Highest
VT: 7%
2.2%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.9
VT: 7%
Orwell and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,417±$22kLowest
13% below VT
$77,031±$16kHighest
5% below VT
$71,302±$13k
12% below VT
Cabot and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$335,600±$25kHighest
6% above VT
$268,500±$77k
15% below VT
$222,000±$22kLowest
30% below VT
Orwell and Cabot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,105±$51Lowest
10% below VT
$1,243±$354
about the VT average
$1,330±$153Highest
8% above VT
Orange and Cabot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,914
22% below VT
$4,639Highest
8% below VT
$3,545Lowest
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.1%±35.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±26.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±87Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Orwell and Cabot are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
9%
VT: 10.1%
7.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.3%
VT: 73.2%
83.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 minLowest
15% above VT
30 minHighest
27% above VT
28 min
19% above VT
Work from home
13.3%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.4%±4.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
Cabot and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 — Echo Valley Community Union School District #67
High school in town None in town — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.