Compare towns
Richmond vs Dorset vs Fayston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Richmond has the most affordable homes ($432k median).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Fayston has the oldest population (median age 46.9).
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 | Richmond | Dorset | Fayston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,159Highest |
2,092 |
1,342Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+0.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
46.9±3.5Highest 9% above VT |
| Fayston and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.5%±5 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
19.3%±3.8Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.6%±3.8 VT: 21.4% |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
66.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
| Fayston and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $108,235±$24kLowest 33% above VT |
$111,250±$40kHighest 37% above VT |
$110,250±$28k 36% above VT |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $432,200±$39kLowest 37% above VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$502,400±$82k 59% above VT |
| Dorset and Fayston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,420±$296Lowest 15% above VT |
$1,654±$274Highest 34% above VT |
| Fayston and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,868 36% above VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$6,689Lowest 33% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28.5%±15.8 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
6.3%±27.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Below poverty line | 4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 78.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 6% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
29 minHighest 25% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.5%±6.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
26.2%±5.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Fayston 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 | #5 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Harwood Unified Union School District #60 |
| High school in town | None 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.