Compare towns

Orwell vs Danby vs Whiting

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).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Whiting has the most renters (34.6% rent).

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.

MeasureOrwellDanbyWhiting
People
Population
1,294Highest
1,133
532Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
47.5±7
10% above VT
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
39.6±2.7Lowest
8% below VT
Danby 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%
14.6%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±6.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Whiting and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24%±3.1
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
13%±5.1Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Danby and Orwell 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%
34.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.9
VT: 7%
2.5%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
6.2%±4Highest
VT: 7%
Whiting and Orwell 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
$77,321±$13k
5% below VT
$91,250±$38kHighest
12% above VT
Whiting and Danby 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
$272,400±$41kLowest
14% below VT
$280,400±$36k
11% below VT
Orwell and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,105±$51
10% below VT
$794±$166Lowest
36% below VT
$1,204±$519Highest
about the VT average
Whiting and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,914Lowest
22% below VT
$4,543Highest
10% below VT
$4,227
16% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
62.1%±35.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
41.4%±34.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
58.3%±37.3
VT: 48.4%
Orwell and Whiting are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.8%
VT: 10.1%
9.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
11.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.3%
VT: 73.2%
89.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
65.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
15% above VT
30 minHighest
26% above VT
22 minLowest
7% below VT
Work from home
13.3%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±5.1
VT: 16.9%
10%±5.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Orwell and Danby 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 Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53
High school in town None 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.