Compare towns
Brandon vs Goshen vs Stratton vs Derby
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brandon has the oldest housing (typical home built 1951).
Goshen has the most homeowners (100%).
Stratton has the highest household income ($123k).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
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 | Brandon | Goshen | Stratton | Derby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,120 |
142Lowest |
532 |
4,537Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | — | -0.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 50.1±3.1 16% above VT |
58.9±8.3Highest 37% above VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
| Goshen and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±4.3 VT: 17.9% |
10.6%±11.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
| Stratton and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±4.1 VT: 21.4% |
37.3%±11.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Goshen and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
42.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
36.8% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
0%±10Lowest VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
| Brandon and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $64,180±$12k 21% below VT |
$56,250±$33kLowest 31% below VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$80,250±$8k about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $227,800±$23k 28% below VT |
$330,000±$115k 4% above VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
| Stratton and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,064±$225Lowest 14% below VT |
— | $1,208±$979Highest about the VT average |
$1,096±$118 11% below VT |
| Stratton and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,241 16% below VT |
$5,240Highest 4% above VT |
$4,750 6% below VT |
$3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±15.1 VT: 48.4% |
— | 12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 14.2% VT: 10.1% |
16.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.4% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3% VT: 73.2% |
100%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
84.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1951Lowest 25 yrs older than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min about the VT average |
21 minLowest 11% below VT |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
32 min 38% above VT |
| Work from home | 9.9%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±9.3Highest VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
10.6%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Goshen and Derby 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 | #69 of 70 in VT | — | — | #52 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 | — | — | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District |
| High school in town | Otter Valley Union High School | — | — | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.9 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
VT 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.