Compare towns
Rupert vs Shelburne vs Middlesex vs Dorset
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Shelburne has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8%).
Middlesex has the youngest population (median age 44.4).
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.
| Measure | Rupert | Shelburne | Middlesex | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676Lowest |
7,969Highest |
1,943 |
2,092 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
50.9±3.2 18% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
| Rupert and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.2%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Dorset and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
29.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
70.2% VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
4.7%±2.9 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36kLowest 9% above VT |
$115,963±$16kHighest 43% above VT |
$109,632±$13k 35% above VT |
$111,250±$40k 37% above VT |
| Shelburne and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63kLowest 14% above VT |
$588,100±$44kHighest 86% above VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
$569,200±$57k 80% above VT |
| Shelburne and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,442±$589Highest 17% above VT |
$1,333±$359Lowest 8% above VT |
$1,420±$296 15% above VT |
| Shelburne and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594Lowest 9% below VT |
$8,173Highest 62% above VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
$7,489 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
43.7%±10.6 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Shelburne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7% VT: 73.2% |
69.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 14% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
27 minHighest 17% above VT |
22 min 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
31.4%±7.6Highest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Shelburne and Dorset 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 | — | #8 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | — | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 |
| 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 | 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.