Compare towns
Benson vs Bleecker vs Highgate vs Northampton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benson has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Bleecker has the oldest population (median age 59.7).
Highgate has the most expensive homes ($281k median).
Northampton has the most kids (18.4% under 18).
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 | Benson | Bleecker | Highgate | Northampton |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 271Lowest |
563 |
3,528Highest |
2,594 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +2.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
-7.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 50.7±7.7 30% above U.S. |
59.7±2.9Highest 53% above U.S. |
44±7.4Lowest 13% above U.S. |
51.9±3.8 33% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 14.4%±9.3 U.S.: 22% |
8.9%±5.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
18.4%±4.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Northampton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 34.3%±2.9 U.S.: 17.2% |
34.5%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.5%±5 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bleecker and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
33.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.1%±5.6Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±2.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.2%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Highgate and Northampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $69,375±$13kLowest 14% below U.S. |
$74,732±$21k 7% below U.S. |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the U.S. average |
$72,065±$13k 11% below U.S. |
| Highgate and Bleecker are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $230,100±$15k 31% below U.S. |
$221,100±$61k 34% below U.S. |
$280,500±$21kHighest 16% below U.S. |
$207,000±$34kLowest 38% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $950±$286Highest 33% below U.S. |
$895±$691Lowest 37% below U.S. |
$911±$83 36% below U.S. |
| Bleecker and Northampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,528Lowest 19% below U.S. |
$3,893Highest 25% above U.S. |
$3,558 14% above U.S. |
$3,430 10% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
11.1%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
30.5%±11.3Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
13.3%±15.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Highgate and Northampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
6% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.1%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
78.8%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1966 14 yrs older than U.S. |
1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1980Highest same as U.S. |
1965Lowest 15 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest about the U.S. average |
30 min 13% above U.S. |
31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
28 min 8% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.6%±4.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.1%±6.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±7.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
5.5%±4.4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Highgate and Bleecker 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 | #373 of 484 in NY |
| School district | — | — | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | NORTHVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| High school in town | — | — | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | NORTHVILLE HIGH SCHOOL |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.8Highest |
9.2Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.