Compare towns
Wilder 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
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Dorset has the most expensive homes ($569k median).
Richmond has the youngest population (median age 43.7).
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 | Wilder | Dorset | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,087 |
2,092Lowest |
4,159Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5% VT: +2.8% |
+2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9 6% above VT |
45.9±7.5Highest 6% above VT |
43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Dorset and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.8%±4.1Lowest 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+ | 27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.9%±4.5 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 60.2% VT: 43.8% |
72.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
59.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7Lowest VT: 7% |
| Wilder and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,143±$9kLowest 7% below 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 | $273,200±$18kLowest 14% below VT |
$569,200±$57kHighest 80% above VT |
$432,200±$39k 37% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451Lowest 7% below VT |
$1,420±$296Highest 15% above VT |
— |
| Dorset and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,505Lowest 9% above VT |
$7,489Highest 49% above VT |
$6,868 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
74.4%±22.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Dorset and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.3% VT: 10.1% |
11.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 17 minLowest 29% below VT |
22 min 8% below VT |
25 minHighest 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7Lowest 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 | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| 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 |
| 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.