Compare towns
Charleston vs Highgate vs Derby
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%).
Highgate has the most expensive homes ($281k median).
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 | Charleston | Highgate | Derby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 936Lowest |
3,528 |
4,537Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 58.4±9.3Highest 35% above VT |
44±7.4Lowest about the VT average |
51.6±2.1 20% above 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% |
15.8%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
| Highgate and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 37.7%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.2%±4.2 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% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
36.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Charleston and Highgate 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 |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$80,250±$8k about the VT average |
| Highgate and Derby 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 |
$280,500±$21kHighest 11% below VT |
$225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
| Highgate and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $979±$444 21% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,096±$118Highest 11% below VT |
| Derby and Charleston 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 |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.7%±26.4 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
45.8%±18.5Highest 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% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
7.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
84.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 12% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
32 minHighest 38% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.7%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Charleston and Highgate 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 | — | #43 of 70 in VT | #52 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Charleston School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— |
| 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.