Compare towns

Fairfield vs Hampton vs Highgate

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Fairfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.1%).
Hampton has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).

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.

MeasureFairfieldHamptonHighgate
People
Population
1,938
1,145Lowest
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+8.1%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42.3±2.7Lowest
9% above U.S.
43.1±14.7
11% above U.S.
44±7.4Highest
13% above U.S.
Highgate and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
25.4%±5Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.9%±6.9
U.S.: 22%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Fairfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.3%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Highgate and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
30.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
15.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.5%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.2%±3.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Fairfield and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$87,019±$22kHighest
8% above U.S.
$73,796±$8kLowest
9% below U.S.
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
Fairfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$320,600±$22kHighest
4% below U.S.
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
Fairfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,056±$441
25% below U.S.
$1,264±$375Highest
11% below U.S.
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
Hampton and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,816Highest
54% above U.S.
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$3,558
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29.2%±20.4
U.S.: 51.1%
13.2%±25.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Highgate and Fairfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
16.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.5%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1984
4 yrs newer than U.S.
1987Highest
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
8% below U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
7.8%±8.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Highgate and Fairfield 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 Maple Run Unified Union School District #57 — Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town — Missisquoi Valley Union High School
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.