Compare towns
Franklin vs Colrain vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
Bordering FranklinBerkshire
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Colrain has the oldest population (median age 49.6).
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 | Colrain | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,590Lowest |
1,627 |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 38.8±6.9Lowest about the U.S. average |
49.6±8.7Highest 28% above U.S. |
44±7.4 13% 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 | 23.5%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
15.3%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 22% |
15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.3%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
30.4%±4.1Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Colrain 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
37.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±3.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,917±$21kLowest about the U.S. average |
$80,673±$10k about the U.S. average |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the U.S. average |
| Highgate and Colrain are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $247,400±$66kLowest 26% below U.S. |
$284,300±$14kHighest 15% below U.S. |
$280,500±$21k 16% 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 | $891±$266Lowest 37% below U.S. |
$1,102±$77Highest 22% below U.S. |
$895±$691 37% 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 | $3,384Lowest 8% above U.S. |
$4,317Highest 38% above U.S. |
$3,558 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.5%±42.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
46%±22.8Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Colrain 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
7.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Highest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 4% below U.S. |
34 minHighest 27% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 18.1%±4.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| 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 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Mohawk Trail | 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 |
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.