Compare towns

Derby vs Washington vs Wheelock

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 highest household income ($80k).
Washington has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.7%).
Wheelock has the most people working from home (21.1%).

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.

MeasureDerbyWashingtonWheelock
People
Population
4,537Highest
1,056
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.9%
VT: +2.8%
-0.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.6±2.1
20% above VT
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
51±5.6Lowest
18% above VT
Washington and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.7%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
16.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
27.2%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
24.3%±4.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock 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
VT: 43.8%
31%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
Wheelock and Washington 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
$66,103±$8k
19% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Derby and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$225,000±$10kHighest
29% below VT
$217,700±$37k
31% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Derby and Washington 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
$996±$285Lowest
19% below VT
—
Derby and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,449
32% below VT
$3,485Highest
31% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.8%±18.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Derby and Washington 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%
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
94.4%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Lowest
2 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
38% above VT
31 min
31% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
10.6%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock and Washington 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 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 —
High school 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.