Compare towns
Derby vs Middlesex vs Northfield
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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Northfield has the youngest population (median age 36.4).
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 | Middlesex | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537 |
1,943Lowest |
5,920Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
36.4±4.1Lowest 16% below VT |
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex 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% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
20%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Derby and Middlesex 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% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
15.1%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$71,768±$13kLowest 12% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $225,000±$10kLowest 29% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$274,400±$21k 13% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 11% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,018±$207Lowest 18% below VT |
| Middlesex 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 |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$4,878 3% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±17.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Northfield 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% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.5%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1956Lowest 20 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
27 minLowest 16% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±4.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #52 of 70 in VT | — | #42 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Northfield Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.0 |
| 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.