Compare towns
Derby vs Rockingham 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.9%).
Rockingham has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Chester has the most expensive homes ($233k median).
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 | Rockingham | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537 |
4,807Highest |
2,992Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-8.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
46.4±2.6Lowest 8% above VT |
49.7±4.7 15% above VT |
| 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 VT: 17.9% |
19.2%±4.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Rockingham and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±5Highest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.8% VT: 43.8% |
37.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
33.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
6.1%±2.9Highest VT: 7% |
5.1%±4 VT: 7% |
| Rockingham 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±$8kHighest about the VT average |
$70,857±$16k 13% below VT |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
| Derby and Rockingham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $225,000±$10k 29% below VT |
$210,900±$14kLowest 33% below VT |
$232,900±$44kHighest 26% below VT |
| Chester and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118Highest 11% below VT |
$1,062±$101 14% below VT |
$960±$44Lowest 22% below VT |
| Derby and Rockingham 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 |
$4,887Highest 3% below VT |
$4,262 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5 VT: 48.4% |
46.7%±13.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Rockingham 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% |
16.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
61.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Highest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
20 minLowest 16% below VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.9%±7.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Rockingham 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 | #65 of 70 in VT | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Rockingham 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 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.