Compare towns
Franklin vs Benson vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
Bordering FranklinBerkshire
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Benson has the oldest population (median age 51.9).
Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
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 | Franklin | Benson | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,590 |
784Lowest |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3% VT: +2.8% |
-7.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
51.9±9.4Highest 20% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
| Benson and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.5%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
26.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Benson and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 21.7% VT: 43.8% |
32.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
7%±5.8 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Benson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,917±$21k about the VT average |
$78,625±$8kLowest 3% below VT |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
| Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$242,000±$26kLowest 24% below VT |
$280,500±$21kHighest 11% below VT |
| Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,113±$170Highest 10% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
| Benson and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$4,125Highest 18% below VT |
$3,558 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
53.4%±35.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Benson and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% above VT |
32 minHighest 35% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±5.4Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Benson and Franklin 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 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None 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 |
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.