Compare towns
Putney vs Wilder vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k 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.
| Measure | Putney | Wilder | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,622 |
3,087Highest |
2,092Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
45.5±8.9 6% above VT |
45.9±7.5Highest 6% above VT |
| Dorset and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
60.2% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
8.1%±3.9 VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$75,143±$9kLowest 7% below VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
| Dorset and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$273,200±$18kLowest 14% below VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$1,142±$451 7% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
| Dorset and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,313Lowest 5% above VT |
$5,505 9% above VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.2%±19.4 VT: 48.4% |
39.9%±17.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Putney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
9.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 72.8% VT: 73.2% |
62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 18 min 24% below VT |
17 minLowest 29% below VT |
22 minHighest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
12.6%±6.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Putney 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 | — | — |
| School district | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | — | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| 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.