Compare towns
Derby vs Highgate vs Williamstown
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 oldest population (median age 51.6).
Highgate has the most expensive homes ($281k median).
Williamstown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.7%).
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 | Williamstown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
3,528Lowest |
3,579 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
42±5Lowest 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%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
19.9%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Williamstown and Highgate 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%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
17%±3.9Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Derby and Highgate 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% |
17.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
4.8%±3.2Highest VT: 7% |
| Williamstown 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 |
$94,418±$10kHighest 16% above VT |
| Williamstown 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±$21kHighest 11% below VT |
$234,900±$24k 26% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,659±$189Highest 34% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,449Lowest 32% below VT |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$3,841Highest 24% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
83.7%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Williamstown 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% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
8.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
23 minLowest about the VT average |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.9%±6.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Highgate and Williamstown 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 | #47 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | Williamstown Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8Highest |
9.5Lowest |
| 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.