Compare towns

Derby Center vs Pittsfield vs Brighton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Derby Center has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6.4%).
Pittsfield has the most people working from home (28.1%).
Brighton has the most kids (18.3% 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.

MeasureDerby CenterPittsfieldBrighton
People
Population
693
391Lowest
1,167Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+6.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-7.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-5.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
61.1±7Highest
42% above VT
53.8±3.5
25% above VT
45.2±11.6Lowest
5% above VT
Derby Center and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.1%±6.3
VT: 17.9%
13.6%±8.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.3%±5.7Highest
VT: 17.9%
Brighton and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
38.2%±6.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
30.4%±7.1
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Derby Center and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
16.4%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
25.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±3.4
VT: 7%
2.8%±3.5Lowest
VT: 7%
4.6%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
Brighton and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$58,250±$10k
28% below VT
$65,852±$12kHighest
19% below VT
$47,375±$21kLowest
42% below VT
Pittsfield and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$24k
38% below VT
$313,300±$73kHighest
about the VT average
$163,900±$39kLowest
48% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,078±$257Highest
13% below VT
$1,035±$140
16% below VT
$775±$33Lowest
37% below VT
Derby Center and Pittsfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,505Lowest
50% below VT
$5,181Highest
about the VT average
$3,360
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
48.2%±26.7
VT: 48.4%
35.6%±43Lowest
VT: 48.4%
55%±17Highest
VT: 48.4%
Brighton and Derby Center are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.6%
VT: 10.1%
8.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
22%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
51.5%
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
51.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1974
2 yrs older than VT
1977Highest
1 yr newer than VT
1967Lowest
9 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
16 minLowest
31% below VT
19 min
18% below VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
Work from home
3.2%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
28.1%±24.1Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.4%±8.1
VT: 16.9%
Pittsfield and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — — Brighton School District
High school in town — — None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.