Compare towns

Waitsfield vs Dorset vs Dummerston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waitsfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.3%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Dummerston has the most affordable homes ($335k 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.

MeasureWaitsfieldDorsetDummerston
People
Population
1,918Lowest
2,092Highest
2,090
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+7.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+5%
VT: +2.8%
+0.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.3±5.3Lowest
about the VT average
45.9±7.5Highest
6% above VT
45.6±11.7
6% above VT
Dorset and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.8%±5.1
VT: 17.9%
24%±5.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
21.7%±6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Dorset and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
28.2%±6.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.9%±4.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±3
VT: 21.4%
Waitsfield and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
63.6%
VT: 43.8%
72.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
58.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±3Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.1
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Waitsfield and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$84,375±$34kLowest
4% above VT
$111,250±$40kHighest
37% above VT
$101,696±$21k
25% above VT
Dorset and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$422,400±$92k
33% above VT
$569,200±$57kHighest
80% above VT
$335,300±$22kLowest
6% above VT
Dorset and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,200±$821Lowest
about the VT average
$1,420±$296Highest
15% above VT
$1,392±$126
13% above VT
Dorset and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,208
23% above VT
$7,489Highest
49% above VT
$4,536Lowest
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
47.4%±30.6
VT: 48.4%
74.4%±22.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
44.1%±32.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Dorset and Waitsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6%
VT: 10.1%
11.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
92.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minHighest
6% above VT
22 min
8% below VT
21 minLowest
11% below VT
Work from home
19%±6.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
29.3%±7.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
25.9%±10.3
VT: 16.9%
Dorset and Dummerston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Harwood Unified Union School District #60 Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96
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.