Compare towns
Derby vs Benson vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derby has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.9%).
Benson has the most people working from home (18.6%).
Chester has the shortest commute (28 min average).
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 | Derby | Benson | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
784Lowest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
49.7±4.7Lowest 15% above VT |
| Benson and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Benson and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8Highest VT: 7% |
5.1%±4 VT: 7% |
| Benson and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8kHighest about the VT average |
$78,625±$8k 3% below VT |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
| Derby and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
$242,000±$26kHighest 24% below VT |
$232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
| Benson and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$1,113±$170Highest 10% below VT |
$960±$44Lowest 22% below VT |
| Benson and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
$4,125 18% below VT |
$4,262Highest 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1975 1 yr older than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
32 min 35% above VT |
28 minLowest 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Benson 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 | #52 of 70 in VT | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.7 |
| 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.