Compare towns

Waterville vs West Windsor vs Derby Line

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waterville has the most renters (20.1% rent).
West Windsor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+22.3%).
Derby Line has the most affordable homes ($201k median).

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.

MeasureWatervilleWest WindsorDerby Line
People
Population
680Lowest
1,171Highest
783
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+22.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+2.1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
49.1±8.2
14% above VT
54±5.9Highest
25% above VT
46.7±13.3Lowest
8% above VT
West Windsor and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±8.2
VT: 17.9%
19.8%±10Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22.6%±8.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Derby Line and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
25.5%±6.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
24.9%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
West Windsor and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
59.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
35.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.3
VT: 7%
6.1%±3.6Highest
VT: 7%
3.4%±2.3Lowest
VT: 7%
West Windsor and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
$108,750±$18kHighest
34% above VT
$71,518±$25k
12% below VT
West Windsor and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$236,300±$15k
25% below VT
$393,500±$41kHighest
24% above VT
$201,000±$52kLowest
37% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,110±$93Highest
10% below VT
$1,100±$217
11% below VT
$835±$334Lowest
32% below VT
Waterville and West Windsor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,957
21% below VT
$5,860Highest
16% above VT
$3,275Lowest
35% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±27.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
35.4%±24.3
VT: 48.4%
Waterville and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%
VT: 10.1%
3.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
4 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1956Lowest
20 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
60% above VT
28 min
20% above VT
24 minLowest
3% above VT
Work from home
8.5%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±3.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.5%±9.8
VT: 16.9%
West Windsor and Derby Line are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Mount Ascutney School District #86 —
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.