Compare towns

Derby Line vs Halifax vs Leicester

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Derby Line has the most affordable homes ($201k median).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Leicester has the most expensive homes ($310k 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.

MeasureDerby LineHalifaxLeicester
People
Population
783Lowest
847
1,026Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
+5.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-10%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.7±13.3
8% above VT
40.6±13.1Lowest
6% below VT
48.8±3.8Highest
13% above VT
Leicester and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.6%±8.2
VT: 17.9%
25.4%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.9%±5.1Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Halifax and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.9%±6.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.6%±7.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
24.5%±6.7
VT: 21.4%
Derby Line and Leicester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
35.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
44.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.4%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.2%±0.9Lowest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.6
VT: 7%
Derby Line and Leicester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,518±$25kHighest
12% below VT
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below VT
$70,417±$30k
13% below VT
Derby Line and Leicester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$201,000±$52kLowest
37% below VT
$267,500±$21k
16% below VT
$309,700±$107kHighest
about the VT average
Leicester and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$835±$334Lowest
32% below VT
$875±$154
29% below VT
$1,098±$300Highest
11% below VT
Leicester and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,275Lowest
35% below VT
$4,991Highest
about the VT average
$3,822
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
35.4%±24.3
VT: 48.4%
57.1%±73.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
33.3%±40.4Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Halifax and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
11.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1956Lowest
20 yrs older than VT
1968
8 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
3% above VT
33 minHighest
38% above VT
28 min
20% above VT
Work from home
13.5%±9.8
VT: 16.9%
29.9%±11.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
12.7%±5.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Halifax and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Halifax School District —
High school 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.