Compare towns
Derby vs Highgate vs Sheldon 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).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Charleston has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.2%).
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 | Highgate | Sheldon | Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
3,528 |
2,267 |
936Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.2%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
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% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Highgate 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% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest 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%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
14.7% VT: 43.8% |
13.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3.7%±2.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Charleston and Highgate 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 |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$49,286±$17kLowest 39% below VT |
| Highgate 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 |
$280,500±$21kHighest 11% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$238,000±$53k 25% below VT |
| Highgate and Sheldon 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 |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$979±$444 21% below VT |
| Sheldon 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 |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$3,750Highest 26% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
32.7%±26.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Charleston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.4% VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
26 min 12% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.7%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Charleston and Highgate 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 | #43 of 70 in VT | — | — |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Charleston School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.