Scenic view of a flat grassy field with a line of trees in autumn colors and mountains in the background, under a partly cloudy sky at sunset

Dorset, VT

ABOUT THE TOWN

This hamlet will have you daydreaming that you have traveled back in time.

Dorset, Vermont, nestled in the Green Mountains, is a picturesque gem where history and charm intertwine. Renowned for its marble quarries, Dorset exudes a timeless elegance. Its quaint streets, lined with historic buildings and lush greenery, lead to the Dorset Quarry, a beloved swimming spot. With the Dorset Playhouse anchoring its vibrant arts scene and outdoor adventures beckoning in every direction, Dorset invites visitors and residents alike to embrace its unique blend of natural beauty, rich heritage, and community spirit. So many treasures to explore here!

Image credit: https://www.dorsetvt.com/

This town is best for:

Outdoor Adventures

Arts Community

Getaways

White wooden building decorated with pumpkins and flowers for fall, featuring a green and white striped awning with a sign that says 'Dorset Union Store', and an American flag on the right side.

Pop. 470

+1.27% Increase

Low 12° - High 78°

Excellent in town, spotty on rural roads

IS THIS YOUR MOXIETOWN?

Does this town check your boxes?

  • We love Dorset for a getaway any time of the year. There are charming places to stay, so much to do, weather that is consistent with the seasons, and just enough off the beaten path to feel like an escape.

  • Dorset could be a wonderful place to launch an online start up, and thrives with local businesses that have sowed their seeds in this Vermont soil. However, be aware that folks are very protective to preserve their charm, scale and traffic.

    This is an idyllic escape for remote workers and digital nomads; however, having reliable broadband in some of the more rural areas could be a challenge, particularly during the harsh winter months. The homes are historic and need an investment to bring them up to today’s technology. We are sure the spike in population growth between ‘20 and ‘22 addressed a lot of those issues. Location will matter here.

  • So much fresh air and places to explore! We think, raising children in this family would be idyllic - but be aware that the median age here is 56.6 yo with 34% being over 65. There is not an overabundance of children.

    We have known singles who love this area, full of festivals, arts and events so it will be a good match for some. It is very educated and very expensive. Staying connected to the larger community would be essential!

    With 35% of the population being 65 years or older - we think that retiring here is quite ideal. Some residents might “winter” where it is warmer, however. This is an extraordinarily educated community, with over 80% having a college degree or above - with access to so many outdoor activities.

Aerial view of a small town surrounded by colorful fall trees and rolling hills in the background.

THE UNIQUE MAGIC INGREDIENTS

SPARKS & Vibes

A white note with a folded corner pinned with a gold thumbtack. The note reads 'THE DORSET VIBE' in black text, and underneath, 'Green Mtn Treasure' in red cursive font.

The way we see it, SPARKS are the places, events, activities that you remember about a MoxieTown, the ones that set them apart, the ones they are known for, & make a lasting impression.

Vibes , on the other hand, are that all-over feeling you get from a place, its unique ambiance.

Dorset is so many things but with the Green Mountains wrapping its arms around the town, it feels like it is a protected treasure with a vibe of Green Mountain Treasure.

Lush Green Mountains

Lush Green Mountains

The Quarry Swimming Hole

The Quarry Swimming Hole

Preserved Historic Hamlet

Preserved Historic Hamlet

Dorset Playhouse | Summer Theater

Dorset Playhouse | Summer Theater

Historic Buildings | The Dorset Inn

Historic Buildings | The Dorset Inn

The Downtown Scene 

We love sharing the downtown scene of the hamlets we find because it reminds us it is about community, not scale. Dorset is a perfect example. The steps on the general store are often town central, or sometimes it can be the noisy crowd at the bar at the Dorset Inn, and in the warmest months, it is the tables and chairs on the lawn of the green. We love this town.

BLOGS ABOUT THIS MOXIETOWN

Stories, Tales, & Secrets

 
READ MORE ABOUT DORSET
 

 Found Around Town

Take a look at our Stories to find more about these treasures in and around town.


Our Quick Takes & Not-To-Miss Highlights.

Whether you’re staying or just stopping by, you don’t want to miss these. There are many adventures to be had and much local flair to experience!

  • For a small little hamlet, the foodie scene does not disappoint! From cozy taverns to intimate restaurants, you can find delicious meals made with fresh, local ingredients. Favorites include the Dorset Bakery, The Dorset Inn and The Barrows House.

  • Year-round outdoor fun is to be had around every corner here. While the Green Mountains call out for hiking and exploring, winter draws folks a little farther to Stratton where some of the regions best skiing resides. The picturesque roads and by-ways call to cyclists of every ability, including the path through Dorset Hollow.

  • If you are not so fortunate to live here, staying here is a wonderful second. Charming inns dot the landscape, offering the picturesque settings you would hope to find in Southern Vermont. Pampering from spas and activities such as golf and tennis are available nearby.

  • For entreprenuers, there are some pretty notable trailblazers in this part of Vermont. JK Adams produces remarkable cutting boards and beautiful wood bowls and kitchen delights, where Dorset Daughters creates a wide variety of handcrafted skin products. It is a highly educated population, so we think launching here or settling in for remote work would find you in good company. Just check the broadband.

  • Such a little town for such a big arts presence. The Dorset Playhouse attracts an audience in the summer months and galleries show off local and regional art. Southern Vermont Arts Center is in nearby Manchester.

  • The historic houses fronting the green rarely come on the market, but you can find some beautiful homes in the surrounding area. There are a few rental properties, but all of the housing is single-family properties.

 
 
 

Find Your Way Around Dorset, Vermont.

Sometimes you just need to know how close it is.

  • Albany, NY - 67 miles

  • Albany International Airport- 68 miles

  • Rutland Regional Medical Center - 29 miles

  • University of Albany - 68 miles

  • Gillette Stadium, Boston - 170 miles

  • Mountain: Green Mountain - local

    Lake: Emerald Lake State Park - 10.5 miles

    Beach: West Beach, Westbrook, CT

    River: Gilbert Brook - local

  • Manchester Center - 5 miles

    a collection of shopping in Manchester Center

SIT BACK AND SCROLL THROUGH THIS PICTURESQUE MOXIETOWN

Follow along for some MoxieTown magic.

Tech does not have to mean glass towers, parking decks, and badge access. In a small town, it can mean a founder with a laptop, a mentor around the corner, a class at night, and a community that knows their name. Beaufort, South Carolina is one exa

A sweet slice of life in Dorset.

Display of handmade bar soaps from Dorset Daughters with scents including lemongrass, charcoal and ginger, and lavender farm on a wooden surface.

Display of handmade bar soaps from Dorset Daughters with scents including lemongrass, charcoal and ginger, and lavender farm on a wooden surface.

Yellow flowers in front of a white house with a window and horizontal siding.

Yellow flowers in front of a white house with a window and horizontal siding.

White house with black shutters, American flag hanging on the front, front door, and steps leading up to the entrance, with green lawn and trees in the background.

White house with black shutters, American flag hanging on the front, front door, and steps leading up to the entrance, with green lawn and trees in the background.

A white colonial style house with black shutters and multiple small gables, surrounded by green lawn and trees with autumn foliage under cloudy sky.

A white colonial style house with black shutters and multiple small gables, surrounded by green lawn and trees with autumn foliage under cloudy sky.

A white house with a front porch, surrounded by green grass, bushes, and trees with pink flowers.

A white house with a front porch, surrounded by green grass, bushes, and trees with pink flowers.

Signboard at Dorset Garden Market listing berries, mums, local cheese, and tomatoes, with an arrow pointing right indicating fruits and vegetables, and an 'Open' sign below.

Signboard at Dorset Garden Market listing berries, mums, local cheese, and tomatoes, with an arrow pointing right indicating fruits and vegetables, and an 'Open' sign below.

Green park with a large tree providing shade and two black picnic tables underneath. Grass with fallen leaves and houses in the background.

Green park with a large tree providing shade and two black picnic tables underneath. Grass with fallen leaves and houses in the background.

Interior of a cozy restaurant with four tables set with pink napkins, glassware, and plates, featuring dark wood furniture, a patterned rug, large windows, brick and plaid wall decor, and a bar area in the background.

Interior of a cozy restaurant with four tables set with pink napkins, glassware, and plates, featuring dark wood furniture, a patterned rug, large windows, brick and plaid wall decor, and a bar area in the background.

Find Your Tribe

Location is everything when you’re moving somewhere new, but so are the people! While of course, these stats can’t begin to represent these unique individuals and their social dynamics, they can provide you with a snapshot of the remarkable tapestry of personalities.

Education

This is a great place to get an overview of the educational offerings of a community. We know each family is unique and each child has their own perfect fit - so check out the many options in this town here.

How we look at demographics, other than education choices

We are looking at small towns everywhere and, so that our fellow small-town fans can really compare “apples to apples” as closely as possible, we use a 3-mile radius for most all of our demographics, 1 mile if we are talking specifically about what is within walking distance to the heart of town. Because when you are talking about who lives in a town - you don’t really care about who provides their water or where they pay their taxes.

Household Income & Median Home Value

$81,839
2023 Median Household Income
113
2023 USA Index


$467,105
2023 Median Home Value
151
2023 USA Index

Indexes

An index is a way to measure and compare different values using a common standard. Think of it as a scale or a ruler that helps you understand how different things measure up against a standard or average of what is found in the US.

Median Age - 145
Wealth - 141
Diversity - 16
Total Crime - 46