Compare towns
Andover vs Proctor vs Highgate vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Andover has the most people working from home (29.6%).
Proctor has the most kids (21.8% under 18).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Chester has the oldest population (median age 49.7).
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.
| Measure | Andover | Proctor | Highgate | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 616Lowest |
1,794 |
3,528Highest |
2,992 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +1.3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 49.2±5.1 14% above VT |
42.4±6.4Lowest about the VT average |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
49.7±4.7Highest 15% above VT |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 11.5%±4.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
21.8%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Proctor and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±4.3 VT: 21.4% |
22.4%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
28.1% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.5 VT: 7% |
3.6%±1.7 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.1%±4Highest VT: 7% |
| Chester and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $102,500±$38kHighest 26% above VT |
$74,167±$12k 9% below VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
| Andover and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $382,900±$68kHighest 21% above VT |
$209,900±$17kLowest 34% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,389±$364Highest 13% above VT |
$1,029±$202 17% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$960±$44 22% below VT |
| Andover and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,190Highest about the VT average |
$4,032 20% below VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,262 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.4%±47.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
37.3%±16.2 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Andover and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
16.2%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.8% VT: 73.2% |
86.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1972 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 min 7% above VT |
22 minLowest 6% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.6%±12.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±4.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Andover and Highgate 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 | — | — | #43 of 70 in VT | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | — | Proctor Junior/Senior High School | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 8.7Lowest |
9.8Highest |
8.7Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.