Compare towns
Putney vs Thompson vs Westminster vs Dummerston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Thompson has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Westminster has the most affordable homes ($274k median).
Dummerston has the most kids (21.7% 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.
| Measure | Putney | Thompson | Westminster | Dummerston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,622 |
9,337Highest |
2,999 |
2,090Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
— | -5.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 37.2±5.2Lowest 4% below U.S. |
54.1±2.2Highest 39% above U.S. |
53.5±3.7 38% above U.S. |
45.6±11.7 17% above U.S. |
| Thompson and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.4%±4.1 U.S.: 22% |
11.4%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.2%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
21.7%±6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Dummerston and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.1%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.4%±4.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
27.6%±6.8Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.3%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Westminster and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
46.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
58.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 20.4%±3.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.9%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±3.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $79,706±$18k about the U.S. average |
$93,629±$18k 16% above U.S. |
$71,491±$4kLowest 11% below U.S. |
$101,696±$21kHighest 26% above U.S. |
| Dummerston and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $300,000±$44k 10% below U.S. |
$291,900±$24k 12% below U.S. |
$273,800±$35kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$335,300±$22kHighest about the U.S. average |
| Dummerston and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $508±$482Lowest 64% below U.S. |
$1,012±$344 28% below U.S. |
$916±$126 35% below U.S. |
$1,392±$126Highest about the U.S. average |
| Dummerston and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,313Highest 70% above U.S. |
$3,822Lowest 23% above U.S. |
$4,063 30% above U.S. |
$4,536 45% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.2%±19.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
54%±18.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
49.2%±7.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±32.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Putney and Thompson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 16%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
4.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 72.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
88.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 18 minLowest 32% below U.S. |
32 minHighest 20% above U.S. |
24 min 10% below U.S. |
21 min 21% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 16.9%±6.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
27%±6.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
25.9%±10.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Westminster and Dummerston 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 | #32 of 70 in VT | #130 of 149 in CT | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Thompson School District | Bellows Falls Union High School District #27 · Westminster School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | Tourtellotte Memorial High School | Bellows Falls Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 7.9Lowest |
10.6Highest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | 6 photos → | 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.