Compare towns
Derby vs Mendon vs Strafford vs Chester
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).
Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Strafford has the most kids (23% under 18).
Chester has the youngest population (median age 49.7).
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 | Mendon | Strafford | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
1,113Lowest |
1,372 |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+8.5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
53.4±10.5Highest 24% above VT |
51.4±4.7 19% above VT |
49.7±4.7Lowest 15% above VT |
| Mendon 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% |
14.6%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
23%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Strafford and Derby 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% |
29%±1.3 VT: 21.4% |
22.1%±3.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Mendon 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% |
49.4% VT: 43.8% |
53.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.1 VT: 7% |
5.1%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
5.1%±4Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$100,524±$23k 24% above VT |
$110,833±$19kHighest 36% above VT |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
| Strafford and Mendon 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 |
$357,000±$44k 13% above VT |
$431,300±$40kHighest 36% above VT |
$232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
| Strafford and Mendon 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 |
$1,230±$651Highest about the VT average |
$1,125±$789 9% below VT |
$960±$44Lowest 22% below VT |
| Mendon and Strafford 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 |
$5,342 6% above VT |
$7,149Highest 42% above VT |
$4,262 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
88.6%±42.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±48 VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Mendon and Derby 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% |
8.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.9% VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
17 minLowest 28% below VT |
23 min about the VT average |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±8.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Mendon and Strafford 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 | — | Strafford School District | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school 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 | 6 photos → |
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.