Compare towns

Dunbarton vs Highgate vs Sheldon

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Dunbarton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+9%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasureDunbartonHighgateSheldon
People
Population
3,097
3,528Highest
2,267Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+9%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
48±3.7Highest
23% above U.S.
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Dunbarton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.8%±3.8
U.S.: 22%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.4%±4.3
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Highgate and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
39.6%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.8%±2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Dunbarton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$124,348±$21kHighest
54% above U.S.
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$484,100±$33kHighest
46% above U.S.
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
$272,400±$61kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,166±$70
17% below U.S.
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Dunbarton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$8,233Highest
164% above U.S.
$3,558Lowest
14% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
54.7%±60.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dunbarton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.1%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1990Highest
10 yrs newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1984
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
27% above U.S.
31 min
17% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
12.6%±5.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Highgate and Sheldon 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 #33 of 120 in NH #43 of 70 in VT —
School district Dunbarton School District Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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.