Compare towns
Danby vs Franklin vs Highgate vs Wardsboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Wardsboro has the most expensive homes ($299k 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 | Danby | Franklin | Highgate | Wardsboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
1,590 |
3,528Highest |
820Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
51.6±7.3 20% above VT |
| Danby and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$79,917±$21k about the VT average |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$62,000±$6kLowest 24% below VT |
| Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$247,400±$66kLowest 22% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$299,300±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Wardsboro and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
$891±$266 28% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$1,479±$224Highest 20% above VT |
| Wardsboro and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543Highest 10% below VT |
$3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$4,345 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.5%±58Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Wardsboro and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
7.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
90.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
25 minLowest 8% above VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Franklin 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 | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| High school in town | None 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 | 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.