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Dorchester, TX

Texas · Metropolitan Area

Dorchester is a small town in Texas with a population of 50. Residents earn $2,499 per year, which is 97% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
50 Population 33/sq mi density
$2,499 Median Income $20,162 per capita
$525,000 Home Value
64°F Avg Temperature 308 sunny days/yr
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.9 / 5.0
$2,499 median income, 4.3% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$525,000 home value
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
53.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $2,499
97% lower than US avg
Home Value $525,000
86% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 53.3%
58% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 26.1%
19% lower than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 42.0%
239% higher than US avg

How Dorchester Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population50
Median Age68.3 yrs
Density33/mi²
Male / Female28% / 72%
Largest GroupWhite 100%
Veterans46.0%

Economy

D
Median Income$2,499
Per Capita$20,162
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty42.0%
County GDP$8,370M
Commute31 min

Housing

F
Home Value$525,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units12
Rent Burden28.7%

Health

Obesity26.1%
Uninsured10.9%
Smoking9.7%
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease4.1%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F (18°C)
AQI42 (Good)
Rain44.3 in/yr
Sunny Days308/yr
Elevation870 ft (265 m)

Education

A+
Bachelor's+53.3%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score5.10

Community

2024 VoteR 77% / D 22%
Commute31 min
Broadband36.0%
Libraries9

Is Dorchester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dorchester receives an overall livability score of 2.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include a highly educated population, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Dorchester has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dorchester is $2,499, 97% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 42.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dorchester is $525,000, making it a premium housing market at 86% above the U.S. median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 210.1x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Education

Dorchester is a highly educated community — 53.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.1/10.

Climate & Weather

Dorchester enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. With 308 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 44.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Dorchester has a population of 50 with a density of 33 people per square mile. The median age is 68.3 years, 76% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (100%).

Population

50
Total Population
33
People / sq mi
68.3yrs
Median Age
76% above US avg
1.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 28%
Female 72%

Race & Ethnicity

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dorchester is $2,499, which is 97% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 42.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 31 minutes.

Income: Dorchester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$2,499
97% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,162
Avg Weekly Wage$1,121
IRS Avg AGI$77,812

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate42.0%
239% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,223
County GDP$8,370M

Business (County)

Restaurants260
Healthcare387
Retail463
Manufacturing118

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$7,307
109% above US avg
Cost of Living97.10 (100=avg)
Effective Tax Rate1.39%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time30.7 min
Drive Alone73.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Dorchester is $525,000, 86% above the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$525,000
86% above US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden28.7%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$887
1 Bedroom$935
2 Bedrooms$1,149
3 Bedrooms$1,497
4 Bedrooms$1,733

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.7%
Housing Units12
Median Year Built1985

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$7,307
109% above US avg
Effective Rate1.39%
In Dorchester, 26.1% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 10.9% of residents lack health insurance. 9.7% are current smokers. 21.7% report depression. 19.2% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Dorchester vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity26.1%
19% below US avg
Diabetes7.8%
Heart Disease4.1%
High Blood Pressure25.5%
Asthma8.8%
COPD4.4%
Cancer6.6%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking9.7%
31% below US avg
Binge Drinking18.1%
Physical Inactivity19.2%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress15.4%
Physical Distress9.9%
Short Sleep34.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate100.0%
Uninsured10.9%
27% above US avg
Primary Care1:2,362
Dentists1:1,626
Mental Health1:647
Checkup Rate65.2%
Dental Visits52.9%
Premature Death9,794/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities387
Dorchester has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.3 inches. The area enjoys 308 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 42.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average63.6°F
18% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.3 inches
17% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median42.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation870 ft (265 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density33/sq mi
Coordinates33.5313°N, 96.6891°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS48181
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 53.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (58% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 54.3-point margin. 36.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 76.7%
D 22.5%

Winner: Republican by 54.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+53.3%
58% above US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score5.10
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density33/sq mi
Total Area1.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access36.0%
Public Libraries9
Healthcare Facilities387
Restaurants260
Retail Stores463

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)30

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute30.7 min
Drive Alone73.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Howe, TX 3,638 pop · 4.5 mi Southmayd, TX 1,420 pop · 6.4 mi Sherman, TX 45,036 pop · 7.6 mi Van Alstyne, TX 5,378 pop · 9.7 mi Gunter, TX 2,382 pop · 11.0 mi Collinsville, TX 1,839 pop · 12.7 mi Tioga, TX 1,212 pop · 13.7 mi Anna, TX 20,975 pop · 14.9 mi Whitesboro, TX 4,154 pop · 15.2 mi Celina, TX 27,141 pop · 15.4 mi Pottsboro, TX 2,624 pop · 16.5 mi Bells, TX 2,101 pop · 17.0 mi Whitewright, TX 1,610 pop · 17.0 mi Denison, TX 25,347 pop · 17.4 mi
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