Compare towns

Berlin vs Highgate vs Proctor

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Proctor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).

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.

MeasureBerlinHighgateProctor
People
Population
2,880
3,528Highest
1,794Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.3%
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
50.6±2.4Highest
17% above VT
44±7.4
about the VT average
42.4±6.4Lowest
about the VT average
Berlin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.6%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Proctor and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.4%±2.5
VT: 21.4%
Berlin and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.5%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
28.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.9%±2.9Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.6%±1.7
VT: 7%
Berlin and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$86,691±$21kHighest
7% above VT
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
$74,167±$12kLowest
9% below VT
Berlin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$273,600±$31k
14% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$209,900±$17kLowest
34% below VT
Highgate and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,169±$171Highest
5% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,029±$202
17% below VT
Berlin and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,418Highest
12% below VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$4,032
20% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41%±19.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
37.3%±16.2
VT: 48.4%
Berlin and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
10.9%
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
16.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
10% below VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
22 min
6% below VT
Work from home
11.7%±3.8
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Berlin 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 #16 of 70 in VT #43 of 70 in VT —
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70
High school in town None in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School Proctor Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8Highest
8.7Lowest
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.