Compare towns
Derby vs Mapleton vs Middlesex vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derby has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Mapleton has the most affordable homes ($192k median).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Chester has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Mapleton | Middlesex | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
1,884Lowest |
1,943 |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 33% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9 14% above U.S. |
49.7±4.7 28% above U.S. |
| Derby and Chester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1 U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
20.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±7.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Chester 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
54.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
33.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Chester 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 U.S. average |
$91,731±$25k 14% above U.S. |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Mapleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $225,000±$10k 32% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$232,900±$44k 30% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 22% below U.S. |
$610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$960±$44 32% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,449 11% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$4,262 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Below poverty line | 7.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 23% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
27 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex and Chester 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 | — | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.