Compare towns
Derby vs Sheldon vs Vernon
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).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
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 | Sheldon | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537Highest |
2,267Lowest |
2,709 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 20% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
| Kids under 18 | 15.7%±3.6 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Derby and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 36.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
26.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Vernon and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,250±$8k about the VT average |
$78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
$85,682±$9kHighest 6% above VT |
| Vernon 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 |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$285,100±$25kHighest 10% below VT |
| Vernon and Sheldon 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 |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$1,023±$214Lowest 17% below VT |
| Sheldon 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 |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$5,191Highest 3% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
26.2%±3.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Derby and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7% VT: 73.2% |
89%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 38% above VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Sheldon 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 | — | #30 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Vernon 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 |
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.