Compare towns

Brookfield vs Highgate vs Monkton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brookfield has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Highgate has the most affordable homes ($281k median).
Monkton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).

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.

MeasureBrookfieldHighgateMonkton
People
Population
1,486Lowest
3,528Highest
1,999
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±5.9
9% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
47.1±5.4Highest
9% above VT
Monkton and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.8%±4.1Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.1%±3.8
VT: 17.9%
Brookfield and Monkton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
29.7%±6.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
20.2%±2.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Brookfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
45.3%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
50%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±2.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
Brookfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,500±$23k
21% above VT
$81,017±$14kLowest
about the VT average
$119,688±$28kHighest
47% above VT
Monkton and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$339,300±$15k
7% above VT
$280,500±$21kLowest
11% below VT
$379,900±$18kHighest
20% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$975±$306
21% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,301±$120Highest
5% above VT
Monkton and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,560
10% below VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$5,887Highest
17% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.4%±27.8Lowest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
62.1%±64Highest
VT: 48.4%
Monkton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.3%
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
87.9%
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1988Highest
12 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
37 minHighest
55% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
29 minLowest
24% above VT
Work from home
27.3%±10.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
26.7%±4.9
VT: 16.9%
Brookfield and Monkton 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 —
School district Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61
High school in town None in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8
—
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.