Compare towns
Brighton vs Franklin vs Barton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brighton has the oldest population (median age 45.2).
Franklin has the highest household income ($80k).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k 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.
| Measure | Brighton | Franklin | Barton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,167 |
1,590Highest |
730Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.3% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.2±11.6Highest 5% above VT |
38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
40±5.5 7% below VT |
| Brighton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 18.3%±5.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6 VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Barton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $47,375±$21k 42% below VT |
$79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
| Franklin and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $163,900±$39k 48% below VT |
$247,400±$66kHighest 22% below VT |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
| Franklin and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $775±$33 37% below VT |
$891±$266Highest 28% below VT |
$761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
| Franklin and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,360 33% below VT |
$3,384Highest 33% below VT |
$3,185Lowest 37% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55%±17 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 22% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 51.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
52.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 9 yrs older than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1945Lowest 31 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 minHighest 41% above VT |
25 minLowest 8% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.4%±8.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4 VT: 16.9% |
| Franklin and Barton 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 | — | — | #38 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Brighton School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — |
| 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.