Real Estate Investing in Derby, Vermont (05855)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

Orleans County • Population: 7,576 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 05855 (Derby, VT)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
MIXED
Grade C (57/100)

Mixed signals — some positives, some negatives. Worth considering but not a slam-dunk.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
1 flag
  • High vacancy: 16.3% of homes vacant — above national norms.

• Modeled rent — no observed market rent for this ZIP; the figure is estimated from HUD fair-market rent.

What’s happening in Derby, VT (05855)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $285,405
Avg Monthly Rent $1,026
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $57,332
% Renters 29.6%

Market Analysis: 05855 Derby

ZIP 05855 inside Orleans County looks affordable on the surface — median value of $285K — but the discount exists for reasons that a careful buyer should understand before committing.

Rent of $1,026/mo on a $285K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 05855 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

Nearby ZIPs in Derby have seen price recovery that 05855 has not matched. Orleans County data supports the view that the spread is structural rather than temporary.

A substantial renter share of 30% in 05855 is not, on its own, a problem — but paired with below-average income and high mobility, it changes the operating playbook.

Distressed ZIPs reward experience. impressive returns are possible in 05855, but they flow to investors who already understand how to operate in soft markets.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Derby:

C+ Average
Buy Confidence Score: 67/100
Affordability
10/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 5× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+9.3%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,026/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$297K$263K$228K$194K$159K$125KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

📊 How Does 05855 Compare?

Metric 05855 Derby Vermont
Home Value $285,405 $287,655 $387,631
5-Year CAGR 7.1% 6.3% 6.4%
Avg Rent $1,026 $1,098 -
Cap Rate 2.8% 3.0% -
💡 Why Invest in 05855? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 05855 (Derby, VT). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.8%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.1%
Strong

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $285,405
Monthly Rent $1,026
Price-to-Rent 23.2:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.3%
Cap Rate 2.8%
5-Year IRR 9.9%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +9.3% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.3% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.1% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.1% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.8%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.8%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
16.3%
Elevated risk
Landlord Climate
3.0/5
Balanced
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.1%
Growing
Eviction process: Slow Rent control: Favorable

Demographics in 05855

Population: 7,576

💰 Median Household Income
$57,332
This area
$57,332
State
$75,625
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
29.6%
This area
29.6%
State
19.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
State
-24.2%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
25.9%
This area
25.9%
State
2.9%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
44.5 years
This area
44.5 years
State
11.2 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
16.3%
This area
16.3%
State
26.5%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 95.5%
Other/Mixed 3.2%
Black/African American 1.3%
Hispanic/Latino 0.7%
Asian 0.1%
👶 Under 18
15.8%
This area
15.8%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
23.0%
This area
23.0%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
7.8%
This area
7.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 05855

A+ Avg School Grade
3 Schools
9.7:1 Avg Class Size
$27,596 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A+ Excellent

Newport City Elementary School

📚 Pre-K – 06 School
👥
305 Students
👨‍🏫
8.5:1 Class Size
💰
$23,000 Per Student
A+ Excellent

North Country Union High School

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
692 Students
👨‍🏫
10.9:1 Class Size
💰
$29,894 Per Student
B Good

North Country Career Center

📚 09 – 12 High School Limited Data
💰
$29,894 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

Frequently Asked Questions

How high is vacancy risk in Derby, VT?

Derby, VT sees elevated vacancy, which is reasonable relative to the broader VT rental market.

How qualified is the tenant pool in Derby, VT?

Derby, VT draws a consistent base of working renters. Demand at the $1,026/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

How does Derby, VT stack up for property investment?

With a 3.0/5 investability score, Derby, VT ranks as a solid market for rental property investors. Median prices of $285K and rents of $1,026/mo drive the underlying numbers.

Are landlord laws favorable in Derby, VT?

Derby, VT falls under VT landlord-tenant law, which is balanced. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What are home prices like in Derby, VT?

Homes in Derby, VT typically sell near $285K. Prices have moved at a 0.0% 5-year CAGR, which reliable long-term demand.

You know 05855 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 05855 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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