Compare towns
Williston vs Mapleton vs Dorset vs Essex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Williston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.2%).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Dorset has the most people working from home (29.3%).
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 | Williston | Mapleton | Dorset | Essex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,144 |
1,884Lowest |
2,092 |
11,516Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +16.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+12.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.4±4.5 17% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
45.9±7.5Highest 18% above U.S. |
42.4±1.9 9% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.5%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1 U.S.: 22% |
24%±5.5Highest U.S.: 22% |
22.4%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Dorset and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21%±3.5 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
21.9%±4.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.9%±3.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 54.9% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
72.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
57.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.7%±2.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Williston and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $106,967±$12k 32% above U.S. |
$91,731±$25kLowest 14% above U.S. |
$111,250±$40kHighest 38% above U.S. |
$110,199±$14k 36% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $475,800±$40k 43% above U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$569,200±$57kHighest 71% above U.S. |
$447,300±$14k 34% above U.S. |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,832±$130Highest 30% above U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,420±$296 about the U.S. average |
$1,569±$138 11% above U.S. |
| Williston and Essex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,592 79% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$7,489Highest 140% above U.S. |
$6,602 112% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 46.9%±17.4 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
74.4%±22.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
45.9%±13.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Dorset and Williston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9% U.S.: 12.5% |
11.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
90.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
75.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1993Highest 13 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
1990 10 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 25% below U.S. |
28 minHighest 5% above U.S. |
22 min 18% below U.S. |
22 min 17% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 22.3%±7.6 U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
29.3%±7.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
21.5%±5.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Dorset and Williston 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 | #11 of 70 in VT | — | — | #13 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Champlain Valley Unified Union School District #56 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Essex Westford Educational Community Unified Union SD #51 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.