Compare towns
Derby vs Calais vs Charleston
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derby has the most affordable homes ($225k median).
Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Charleston has the shortest commute (26 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 | Calais | Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
1,713 |
936Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.2% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
42±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
58.4±9.3Highest 35% 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 | 15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Calais 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% |
21.6%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
37.7%±8.6Highest 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+ | 36.8% VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
13.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
3.7%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Calais and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$100,625±$27kHighest 24% above VT |
$49,286±$17kLowest 39% below VT |
| Calais and Derby 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 |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
$238,000±$53k 25% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
$979±$444Lowest 21% below VT |
| Calais 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 |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
$3,750 26% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
32.7%±26.4Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Calais and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.8% VT: 10.1% |
12.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
26 minLowest 12% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.7%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Calais and Charleston 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 | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Charleston School District |
| 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.