Compare towns

Peru vs Pomfret vs Dorset

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Peru has the highest household income ($152k).
Pomfret has the oldest population (median age 53.4).
Dorset has the most kids (24% under 18).

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.

MeasurePeruPomfretDorset
People
Population
434Lowest
908
2,092Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
+1.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.3±8.6Lowest
5% above VT
53.4±12.1Highest
24% above VT
45.9±7.5
6% above VT
Pomfret and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
8.5%±5.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.4%±6
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and Pomfret are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.4%±5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.5%±6.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.9%±4.5
VT: 21.4%
Pomfret and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
58%
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±3.2
VT: 7%
1.4%±1.2Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
Dorset and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$151,875±$83kHighest
87% above VT
$84,229±$8kLowest
4% above VT
$111,250±$40k
37% above VT
Peru and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$400,000±$105k
26% above VT
$399,200±$144kLowest
26% above VT
$569,200±$57kHighest
80% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,271±$820
about the VT average
$1,170±$98Lowest
5% below VT
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
Dorset and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,000Lowest
about the VT average
$6,722
33% above VT
$7,489Highest
49% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29%±47.8
VT: 48.4%
24%±22.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
1.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.8%
VT: 10.1%
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.3%
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1970Lowest
6 yrs older than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minHighest
19% above VT
24 min
about the VT average
22 minLowest
8% below VT
Work from home
13.3%±16.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.3%±10.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
29.3%±7.5
VT: 16.9%
Pomfret and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Taconic and Green Regional School District #63
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.