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Dorchester, WI

Wisconsin

Dorchester is a small town in Wisconsin with a population of 818. Residents earn $54,750 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
818 Population 588/sq mi density
$54,750 Median Income $31,672 per capita
$142,000 Home Value $204,527 Zillow
$821 Median Rent 28.0% income on rent
42°F Avg Temperature 270 sunny days/yr
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.0 / 5.0
$54,750 median income, 2.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$142,000 home value, $821/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,750
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $142,000
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.2%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent $821
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.9%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.1%
42% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.2%
42% lower than US avg

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

People

Population818
Median Age33.4 yrs
Density588/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans4.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$54,750
Per Capita$31,672
Unemployment2.1%
Poverty7.2%
County GDP$1,109M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$142,000
Rent$821
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$204,527
Housing Units352
Rent Burden28.0%

Health

Obesity38.9%
Uninsured14.4%
Smoking18.0%
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp42°F (5°C)
AQI38 (Good)
Rain34.2 in/yr
Sunny Days270/yr
Elevation1,424 ft (434 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.2%
High School+81.9%
Graduate+2.9%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute17 min
Broadband82.8%
Libraries5

Is Dorchester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dorchester receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, abundant sunshine, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include a high uninsured rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Dorchester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dorchester is $54,750, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.1%. Only 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dorchester is $142,000, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $821 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Dorchester has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F. Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. With 270 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 34.2 inches, including 57.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Dorchester has a population of 818 with a density of 588 people per square mile. The median age is 33.4 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.4%), with 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

818
Total Population
588
People / sq mi
33.4yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.4%
Female 47.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only91.8%
17% above US avg
Spanish8.2%
39% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dorchester is $54,750, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 7.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Dorchester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,750
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,672
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$61,024

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.1%
42% below US avg
Poverty Rate7.2%
42% below US avg
Establishments (County)538
County GDP$1,109M

Business (County)

Restaurants50
Healthcare46
Retail65
Manufacturing38

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,657
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.28%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Drive Alone83.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Dorchester is $142,000, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $821 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $204,527.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$142,000
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$204,527

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$821
29% below US avg
Rent Burden28.0%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$797
1 Bedroom$872
2 Bedrooms$1,097
3 Bedrooms$1,405
4 Bedrooms$1,572

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.6%
Housing Units352
Median Year Built1978

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,657
33% above US avg
Effective Rate3.28%
In Dorchester, 38.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 14.4% of residents lack health insurance. 18.0% are current smokers. 22.7% report depression. 33.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.9%
21% above US avg
Diabetes10.6%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure29.1%
Asthma11.2%
COPD7.3%
Cancer6.8%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Smoking18.0%
29% above US avg
Binge Drinking20.0%
Physical Inactivity33.2%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.5%
Short Sleep34.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Uninsured14.4%
67% above US avg
Checkup Rate71.7%
Dental Visits60.7%
Premature Death6,980/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access55.6%
Healthcare Facilities46
Dorchester has an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. Annual precipitation is 34.2 inches. The area enjoys 270 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-11°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average41.8°F
23% below US avg
January Average11°F (-11°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days270 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall34.2 inches
10% below US avg
Snowfall57.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,424 ft (434 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density588/sq mi
Coordinates45.0014°N, 90.3312°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
County FIPS55119
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 10.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 48.2-point margin. 82.8% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.5%
D 25.3%

Winner: Republican by 48.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.2%
70% below US avg
High School+81.9%
Graduate Degree+2.9%
School Test Score5.81
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density588/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access82.8%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities46
Restaurants50
Retail Stores65

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Drive Alone83.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home7.2%

Nearby Cities

Abbotsford, WI 2,100 pop · 4.1 mi Colby, WI 2,118 pop · 6.3 mi Medford, WI 4,331 pop · 9.3 mi Athens, WI 1,005 pop · 12.5 mi Spencer, WI 1,621 pop · 17.2 mi Edgar, WI 1,366 pop · 18.8 mi Stratford, WI 1,439 pop · 19.0 mi Loyal, WI 1,361 pop · 20.0 mi Greenwood, WI 1,163 pop · 20.9 mi Thorp, WI 1,696 pop · 23.2 mi Marathon City, WI 1,397 pop · 23.9 mi Marshfield, WI 18,718 pop · 24.6 mi Stanley, WI 3,774 pop · 30.1 mi Rib Mountain, WI 6,134 pop · 31.8 mi
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