Compare towns

Colrain vs Highgate vs Halifax

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Colrain has the oldest population (median age 49.6).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).

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.

MeasureColrainHighgateHalifax
People
Population
1,627
3,528Highest
847Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
49.6±8.7Highest
28% above U.S.
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
40.6±13.1Lowest
4% above U.S.
Colrain and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 22%
15.8%±5.3
U.S.: 22%
25.4%±5.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
Halifax and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
30.4%±4.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.6%±7.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Colrain and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
37.3%
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
44.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.8%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
1.2%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Colrain and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$80,673±$10k
about the U.S. average
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the U.S. average
$63,889±$7kLowest
21% below U.S.
Highgate and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$284,300±$14kHighest
15% below U.S.
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
$267,500±$21kLowest
20% below U.S.
Colrain and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,102±$77Highest
22% below U.S.
$895±$691
37% below U.S.
$875±$154Lowest
38% below U.S.
Colrain and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,317
38% above U.S.
$3,558Lowest
14% above U.S.
$4,991Highest
60% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46%±22.8
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
57.1%±73.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Halifax and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
6%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.5%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
86.6%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1963Lowest
17 yrs older than U.S.
1980Highest
same as U.S.
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
31 minLowest
17% above U.S.
33 min
23% above U.S.
Work from home
8.4%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±7.2
U.S.: 15.1%
29.9%±11.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Halifax 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 —
School district Mohawk Trail Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Halifax School District
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

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.