Compare towns

Thetford vs Dorset vs Richmond

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Thetford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Richmond has the most renters (21.2% rent).

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.

MeasureThetfordDorsetRichmond
People
Population
2,813
2,092Lowest
4,159Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+5%
VT: +2.8%
+2.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
43.6±6.2Lowest
about the VT average
45.9±7.5Highest
6% above VT
43.7±5.6
about the VT average
Dorset and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.4%±4.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.5%±5
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+
20.8%±6
VT: 21.4%
21.9%±4.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Dorset and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
68%
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
59.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.7%±4.5Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±1.7Lowest
VT: 7%
Thetford and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$88,045±$16kLowest
8% above VT
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
$108,235±$24k
33% above VT
Dorset and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$329,500±$96kLowest
4% above VT
$569,200±$57kHighest
80% above VT
$432,200±$39k
37% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,141±$96Lowest
8% below VT
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
—
Dorset and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,948
38% above VT
$7,489Highest
49% above VT
$6,868Lowest
36% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49.7%±30.1
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
28.5%±15.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Thetford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8%
VT: 10.1%
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.1%
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.8%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs newer than VT
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 min
4% below VT
22 minLowest
8% below VT
25 minHighest
6% above VT
Work from home
13.6%±6.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±6.1
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Richmond 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 #40 of 70 in VT — #5 of 70 in VT
School district Thetford School District Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401
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.