Compare towns

Ripton vs Derby vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Derby has the most renters (15.3% rent).
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.

MeasureRiptonDerbyWheelock
People
Population
508Lowest
4,537Highest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+25.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.9%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47.7±14.2Lowest
11% above VT
51.6±2.1Highest
20% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Derby and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
11.8%±6.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.7%±3.6
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.5%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
27.2%±4.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7
VT: 21.4%
Ripton and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48%Highest
VT: 43.8%
36.8%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
20.1%±6.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$112,917±$15kHighest
39% above VT
$80,250±$8k
about the VT average
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$394,400±$61kHighest
25% above VT
$225,000±$10k
29% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$1,096±$118
11% below VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,915Highest
about the VT average
$3,449
32% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
52.9%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
45.8%±18.5
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Ripton and Derby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
7.4%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.9%
VT: 73.2%
84.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Lowest
3 yrs older than VT
1978
2 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
32 minHighest
38% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
17.2%±8.7
VT: 16.9%
10.6%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock and Ripton 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 Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 Derby School District · North Country Union Junior High School District —
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.