Compare towns
Rupert vs Stratton vs Pawlet 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).
Stratton has the youngest population (median age 31.5).
Pawlet has the most affordable homes ($266k median).
Dorset has the most people working from home (29.3%).
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 | Stratton | Pawlet | Dorset |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676 |
532Lowest |
1,480 |
2,092Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% VT: +2.8% |
— | -3.6%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
47.9±7.5 11% above VT |
45.9±7.5 6% above VT |
| Rupert and Pawlet 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% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
20.3%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
24%±5.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Dorset 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% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
37.5% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
4.4%±2.9Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Pawlet and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,229±$36k 9% above VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below VT |
$111,250±$40k 37% above VT |
| Stratton 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±$63k 14% above VT |
$400,000±$50k 26% above VT |
$266,200±$44kLowest 16% below VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,208±$979 about the VT average |
$1,153±$215Lowest 7% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
| Dorset and Stratton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 9% below VT |
$4,750 6% below VT |
$3,924Lowest 22% below VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
42.6%±21.3 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6% VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
10% VT: 10.1% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
90.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1964 12 yrs older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min 14% above VT |
33 min 39% above VT |
33 minHighest 40% above VT |
22 minLowest 8% below VT |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
20.4%±8.3 VT: 16.9% |
29.3%±7.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | — | Mettawee School District #84 | 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 | 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.