Compare towns
Derby vs Sidney vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Derby has the oldest population (median age 51.6).
Sidney has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.4%).
Chester has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Sidney | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,537 |
4,790Highest |
2,992Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+10.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 51.6±2.1Highest 33% above U.S. |
43±5.5Lowest 11% above U.S. |
49.7±4.7 28% above U.S. |
| 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 U.S.: 22% |
23.1%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Sidney 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.4%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
29.8%±7.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Chester 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%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
33.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
33.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.3%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.5%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Chester 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 U.S. average |
$83,488±$10kHighest 3% above U.S. |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below U.S. |
| Sidney 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 32% below U.S. |
$336,200±$34kHighest about the U.S. average |
$232,900±$44k 30% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,096±$118 22% below U.S. |
$1,340±$304Highest 5% below U.S. |
$960±$44Lowest 32% below U.S. |
| Sidney and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,449 11% above U.S. |
$2,474Lowest 21% below U.S. |
$4,262Highest 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.8%±18.5Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
16.4%±17.5 U.S.: 51.1% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Derby and Sidney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.4%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
7% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
89.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
1996Highest 16 yrs newer than U.S. |
1972Lowest 8 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 32 minHighest 23% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 6% below U.S. |
28 min 5% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 10.6%±3.5Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.3%±5.9Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14%±6.9 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sidney 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 | #15 of 133 in ME | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District | RSU 18 | 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 History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.