Compare towns
Charleston vs Derby vs Sheldon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Charleston has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.2%).
Derby has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
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 | Charleston | Derby | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 936Lowest |
4,537Highest |
2,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 58.4±9.3Highest 35% above VT |
51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
| Charleston and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 37.7%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Charleston and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 13.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
36.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Charleston and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $49,286±$17kLowest 39% below VT |
$80,250±$8kHighest about the VT average |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
| Derby and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $238,000±$53k 25% below VT |
$225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
$272,400±$61kHighest 14% below VT |
| Sheldon and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $979±$444Lowest 21% below VT |
$1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| Sheldon and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,750Highest 26% below VT |
$3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.7%±26.4 VT: 48.4% |
45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 12.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.4% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.1% VT: 73.2% |
84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 12% above VT |
32 minHighest 38% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.7%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
| Charleston and Sheldon 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 | — | #52 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Charleston School District | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.