Compare towns

Stoddard vs Dorset vs Nelson

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Stoddard has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.5%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% 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.

MeasureStoddardDorsetNelson
People
Population
1,072
2,092Highest
648Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+11.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5%
U.S.: +7.4%
-13.7%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53±4Highest
36% above U.S.
45.9±7.5
18% above U.S.
42.3±11.7Lowest
9% above U.S.
Stoddard and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.5
U.S.: 22%
27.5%±6.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Nelson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.4%±2.5
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
24.8%±2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Nelson and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
72.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
61.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
0.9%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Stoddard and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,904±$11kLowest
18% above U.S.
$111,250±$40kHighest
38% above U.S.
$99,792±$23k
24% above U.S.
Dorset and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$330,300±$20kLowest
about the U.S. average
$569,200±$57kHighest
71% above U.S.
$340,900±$49k
about the U.S. average
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$751Lowest
37% below U.S.
$1,420±$296Highest
about the U.S. average
$1,203±$243
15% below U.S.
Dorset and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,316Lowest
38% above U.S.
$7,489Highest
140% above U.S.
$5,575
79% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.6%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
74.4%±22.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±68.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dorset and Stoddard are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
11.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
1.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
93.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Highest
2 yrs older than U.S.
1972Lowest
8 yrs older than U.S.
1975
5 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
22 minLowest
18% below U.S.
24 min
8% below U.S.
Work from home
9.5%±4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.3%±7.5
U.S.: 15.1%
31.5%±8Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Nelson and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Stoddard School District Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Nelson School District
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

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.