Compare towns
Rupert vs Unity vs Dorset vs Pawlet
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Rupert has the oldest housing (typical home built 1955).
Unity has the most homeowners (94.5%).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Pawlet has the most affordable homes ($266k 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 | Rupert | Unity | Dorset | Pawlet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 676Lowest |
1,375 |
2,092Highest |
1,480 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 57.8±9.7 49% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5Lowest 18% above U.S. |
47.9±7.5 23% above U.S. |
| Unity and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 13.9%±3.7 U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
20.3%±5.2 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 42.3%±8.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7 U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
27.3%±2.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Rupert and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 30.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
37.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
4.4%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| 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 U.S. |
$87,500±$16k 8% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$62,273±$14kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Dorset and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $362,500±$63k 9% above U.S. |
$276,100±$29k 17% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$266,200±$44kLowest 20% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
$1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
$1,153±$215Lowest 18% below U.S. |
| Unity and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,594 47% above U.S. |
$5,394 73% above U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$3,924Lowest 26% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 20%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
42.6%±21.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
10% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 93.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1955Lowest 25 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1964 16 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 27 min about the U.S. average |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
22 minLowest 18% below U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.6%±9.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
20.4%±8.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Pawlet are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Unity School District | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Mettawee School District #84 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 4 photos → | 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.