Dorset, VT health
Dorset differs from Vermont on 7 of 33 measures. It has more adults screened for colon cancer (73.7% vs 69.2%) and more adults getting a yearly checkup (80.2% vs 76.1%). Where it trails the state: more adults who have had cancer (12.6% vs 9.9%).
CDC PLACES 2025 · adults 18+ · ZIP codes 05251, 05253Dorset’s Health Grade: A
On seven CDC health estimates for adults, Dorset is healthier than 86% of U.S. towns and 67% of Vermont towns.
About what its income would suggest. Dorset does about as well against towns with similar incomes as against all towns.
How the Health Grade works
- Seven CDC estimates. Adults in fair or poor health, frequent physical distress, frequent mental distress, obesity, diabetes, smoking and no exercise (CDC PLACES, 2025 release). On each one a town earns the share of U.S. towns doing worse, and those shares are averaged. It’s the same score as our Healthiest towns in Vermont ranking.
- Graded on a national curve. Every U.S. town with 1,000+ residents and all seven estimates (19,420 places) is lined up by score: A+ top 5%A next 10%A- next 10%B B+ to B−, next 30%C C+ to C−, next 30%D D and D−, bottom 15%
- Not adjusted for income. Wealthier towns are usually healthier, and the grade shows that as it is. The similar-incomes bar compares Dorset with U.S. towns whose median household income is within 25% of its own.
- Modeled, not measured. CDC combines national survey answers with each area’s age, sex, race and income mix. Dorset’s figures come from the ZIP codes that cover it, weighted by land area. High blood pressure is left out because it tracks age more than anything else. The confidence line recomputes the grade with every estimate at the low, then the high, end of its range.
How Dorset compares with Vermont
Each theme counts how many of its measures are better, worse or too close to call against the state. Tap one to jump to it.
Out of every 100 Dorset adults…
Bars show Dorset; the black tick is Vermont. Tap a condition to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with the state
VT 18.9%
VT 28.6%
VT 16.6%
VT 11.2%
Keeping up with care
Share of Dorset adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Vermont.
How Dorset adults are doing
Living with a disability
of Dorset adults live with a disability (Vermont 26.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Black tick: Vermont. Shown without a better/worse judgment.
Dorset and the towns around it
Pick a measure to shade the map. Darker is worse for health. Pins are hospitals and community health centers in and near Dorset.
Obesity
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC's estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC's own figure for cities and villages.
Care in and near Dorset
No hospital or community health center in Dorset itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Dorset. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
All 33 measures for Dorset
| Measure | Dorset | Margin | Vermont | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chronic conditions | ||||
| High blood pressure | 37.6% | 33.8–41.3% | 31.4% | worse |
| High cholesterol | 35.7% | 32.1–39.3% | 32.1% | about the same |
| Obesity | 29.7% | 24.8–34.5% | 28.6% | about the same |
| Arthritis | 34% | 30.6–37.3% | 27.8% | worse |
| Depression | 27.7% | 24.2–31% | 26.5% | about the same |
| Lost all teeth (65+) | 9.8% | 8.1–11.9% | 10.1% | about the same |
| Asthma | 11.2% | 9.9–12.6% | 11.1% | about the same |
| Cancer (not skin) | 12.6% | 11.5–14% | 9.9% | worse |
| Diabetes | 10.3% | 8.7–12% | 8.8% | about the same |
| COPD | 7% | 5.7–8.4% | 6.5% | about the same |
| Heart disease | 7.6% | 6.7–8.8% | 6.3% | worse |
| Stroke | 3.8% | 3.3–4.3% | 3.3% | about the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 10.1% | 7.7–12.5% | 11.2% | about the same |
| Binge drink | 14.2% | 11.9–16.6% | 16.6% | about the same |
| Get no exercise | 18.4% | 14.9–22.1% | 18.9% | about the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 31.4% | 27.5–36% | 28.6% | about the same |
| Care & screenings | ||||
| Yearly checkup | 80.2% | 77.3–82.8% | 76.1% | better |
| Dentist visit | 70.4% | 67.6–73.4% | 69.2% | about the same |
| Cholesterol check | 89.9% | 88.3–91.3% | 85.9% | better |
| Colon screening | 73.7% | 70.1–77.4% | 69.2% | better |
| Mammogram | 77.9% | 72.5–83.1% | 76.1% | about the same |
| Taking BP meds | 79.8% | 76.6–82.6% | 76.7% | about the same |
| No health insurance | 4.7% | 3.5–6.1% | 6% | about the same |
| Mind & connection | ||||
| Frequent mental distress | 14% | 12.1–15.9% | 15.9% | about the same |
| Fair or poor health | 14.5% | 12–17.2% | 14.5% | about the same |
| Frequent physical distress | 13.4% | 11.5–15.5% | 12.5% | about the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 28% | 24–32.1% | 26.4% | |
| Walking or climbing stairs | 12.9% | 10.7–15.3% | 11% | |
| Thinking or memory | 10.5% | 8.9–12.2% | 12.5% | |
| Hearing | 9% | 7.8–10.1% | 7.7% | |
| Vision | 4% | 3.4–4.7% | 4% | |
| Dressing or bathing | 3.3% | 2.8–3.9% | 3.1% | |
| Errands alone | 6.6% | 5.5–7.7% | 6.8% | |
How CDC estimates town health
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Vermont figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau.