Compare towns
Derby vs Highgate vs Vernon
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 people working from home (14.9%).
Vernon has the shortest commute (20 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 | Highgate | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
3,528 |
2,709Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
42.6±5.4Lowest about the VT average |
| Derby and Highgate 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%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Highgate and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Derby and Vernon 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%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
26.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Vernon 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±$8kLowest about the VT average |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$85,682±$9kHighest 6% above VT |
| Vernon and Highgate 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±$21k 11% below VT |
$285,100±$25kHighest 10% below VT |
| Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118Highest 11% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,023±$214 17% below VT |
| Derby and Vernon 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 |
$5,191Highest 3% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
26.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Highgate 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%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
76.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Highgate and Derby 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 | #30 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Vernon School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
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| 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.