Compare towns
Brandon vs Jefferson vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brandon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Jefferson has the most expensive homes ($297k median).
Chester has the youngest population (median age 49.7).
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 | Jefferson | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,120Highest |
1,013Lowest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.1%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.1±3.1 29% above U.S. |
58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
49.7±4.7Lowest 28% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 19.2%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22% |
12.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7 U.S.: 22% |
| Brandon and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.3%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
33.7%±9.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±7.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jefferson and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
33.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.7 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chester and Brandon 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 U.S. |
$67,188±$13kHighest 17% below U.S. |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Jefferson and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $227,800±$23kLowest 32% below U.S. |
$296,700±$92kHighest 11% below U.S. |
$232,900±$44k 30% below U.S. |
| Jefferson and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,064±$225Highest 25% below U.S. |
$867±$156Lowest 39% below U.S. |
$960±$44 32% below U.S. |
| Brandon and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,241 36% above U.S. |
$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S. |
$4,262Highest 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±15.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±71.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Brandon and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 14.2%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1951Lowest 29 yrs older than U.S. |
1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 10% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.9%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
17.5%±6.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jefferson and Chester 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 | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53 | — | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | Otter Valley Union High School | — | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.9Highest |
— | 8.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 14 photos → | 6 photos → |
U.S. 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.