Compare towns
Derby vs Ripton vs Stratton vs Charleston
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).
Ripton has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Stratton has the most kids (28% under 18).
Charleston has the oldest population (median age 58.4).
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 | Ripton | Stratton | Charleston |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
508Lowest |
532 |
936 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | -0.2% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1 20% above VT |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
31.5±4.1Lowest 27% below VT |
58.4±9.3Highest 35% above VT |
| Charleston 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% |
11.8%±6.3 VT: 17.9% |
28%±7.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1 VT: 21.4% |
11.7%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
37.7%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Charleston and Ripton 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% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.2% VT: 43.8% |
13.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
1.3%±2.8Lowest VT: 7% |
3.7%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$112,917±$15k 39% above VT |
$122,708±$33kHighest 51% above VT |
$49,286±$17kLowest 39% below VT |
| Stratton and Ripton 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 |
$394,400±$61k 25% above VT |
$400,000±$50kHighest 26% above VT |
$238,000±$53k 25% below VT |
| Stratton and Ripton 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 |
— | $1,208±$979Highest about the VT average |
$979±$444Lowest 21% below VT |
| Stratton 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 |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,750 6% below VT |
$3,750 26% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
12%±69.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
32.7%±26.4 VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton 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% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
0%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.3%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
87.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 32 min 38% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
33 minHighest 39% above VT |
26 min 12% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7 VT: 16.9% |
3.3%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.7%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Charleston and Ripton 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 | — | — | — |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | — | Charleston School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.