Compare towns

Derby vs Reading vs Lyndon

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).
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Lyndon has the shortest commute (23 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.

MeasureDerbyReadingLyndon
People
Population
4,537
699Lowest
5,590Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%
VT: +2.8%
+3.2%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-8.2%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.6±2.1Highest
20% above VT
51.1±7.6
19% above VT
48.4±6.7Lowest
12% above VT
Derby and Reading 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%
18.5%±4.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
13.1%±2.8Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Reading 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%
28.2%±3.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.8%±3.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Reading 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%
VT: 43.8%
46%Highest
VT: 43.8%
30.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.5
VT: 7%
9.8%±2Highest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,250±$8k
about the VT average
$85,000±$19kHighest
5% above VT
$68,786±$6kLowest
15% below VT
Reading and Derby 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
$377,200±$72kHighest
19% above VT
$227,000±$21k
28% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$118Lowest
11% below VT
$1,100±$331Highest
11% below VT
$1,096±$123Lowest
11% below VT
Reading 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
$5,754Highest
14% above VT
$3,846
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.8%±18.5Lowest
VT: 48.4%
63.3%±31.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
55.7%±15.2
VT: 48.4%
Reading and Lyndon 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%
8.4%
VT: 10.1%
11%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%
VT: 73.2%
85.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs newer than VT
1969Lowest
7 yrs older than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
38% above VT
33 minHighest
41% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
10.6%±3.5
VT: 16.9%
22.9%±10.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
10.5%±3.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Reading 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 — #44 of 70 in VT
School district Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
High school in town None in town None in town None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.