Compare towns

Derby vs Springfield vs Brandon

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 most affordable homes ($225k median).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
Brandon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).

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.

MeasureDerbySpringfieldBrandon
People
Population
4,537Highest
1,122Lowest
4,120
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+4.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
51.6±2.1Highest
33% above U.S.
51.4±8.8
32% above U.S.
50.1±3.1Lowest
29% above U.S.
Derby and Springfield 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%
15.1%±8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.2%±4.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Brandon and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.2%±4.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±1.6Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.3%±4.1
U.S.: 17.2%
Derby and Brandon 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%
36.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
32.1%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.5%±1.7Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Brandon 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
$100,893±$19kHighest
25% above U.S.
$64,180±$12kLowest
21% below U.S.
Springfield 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.
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$227,800±$23k
32% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,096±$118Highest
22% below U.S.
$1,096±$217Highest
22% below U.S.
$1,064±$225Lowest
25% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,449Lowest
11% above U.S.
$5,946Highest
91% above U.S.
$4,241
36% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.8%±18.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
25.9%±64.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
41.7%±15.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Derby and Brandon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
14.2%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.3%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
2 yrs older than U.S.
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1951Lowest
29 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
23% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
24 minLowest
10% below U.S.
Work from home
10.6%±3.5
U.S.: 15.1%
16.7%±11.6Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.9%±5.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Springfield 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 — #69 of 70 in VT
School district Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District — Otter Valley Unified Union School District #53
High school in town None in town — Otter Valley Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.9
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.