Compare towns
Derby vs Hartford vs Hartland
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).
Hartford has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.4%).
Hartland has the most expensive homes ($349k 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 | Derby | Hartford | Hartland |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537 |
10,736Highest |
3,460Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+7.4%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
43.2±3.9Lowest about the VT average |
55.8±5.1Highest 29% above VT |
| Hartland and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
18%±3Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.6 VT: 17.9% |
| Hartford and Hartland 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% |
22.5%±3.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
28.4%±5.8Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Hartland 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% |
47.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
36.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
4.9%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.7%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Hartford and Hartland 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 |
$78,125±$7kLowest 4% below VT |
$86,136±$23kHighest 6% above VT |
| Hartland 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 |
$304,500±$26k 4% below VT |
$348,600±$39kHighest 10% above VT |
| Hartland and Hartford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118Lowest 11% below VT |
$1,218±$118Highest about the VT average |
— |
| Hartford 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 |
$5,773 15% above VT |
$6,437Highest 28% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±12.7 VT: 48.4% |
31.1%±89.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Hartford 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% |
11.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
67.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
91.8%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1979Highest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1971Lowest 5 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
18 minLowest 22% below VT |
23 min 4% below VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
13.9%±3.5Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.4%±6.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Hartford and Hartland 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 | #34 of 70 in VT | #29 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Hartford School District | Hartland School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Hartford High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.6 |
— |
| 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.