Compare towns

Franklin vs Gorham 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

Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Gorham has the most affordable homes ($162k median).
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.

MeasureFranklinGorhamHighgate
People
Population
1,590Lowest
2,682
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-5.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.8±6.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
53.9±3.6Highest
39% above U.S.
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
Gorham 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%
12.5%±3.9Lowest
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%
31.7%±6.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
Gorham 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%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
20.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
6.7%±2.8
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Franklin and Gorham 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 U.S. average
$61,275±$7kLowest
24% below U.S.
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the U.S. 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
26% below U.S.
$161,600±$49kLowest
51% below U.S.
$280,500±$21kHighest
16% below U.S.
Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$891±$266
37% below U.S.
$838±$83Lowest
41% below U.S.
$895±$691Highest
37% below U.S.
Highgate and Franklin 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.
$4,334Highest
39% above U.S.
$3,558
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±42.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
41%±20.3
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Franklin and Gorham 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%
4.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
71.6%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1980
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
4% below U.S.
23 minLowest
14% below U.S.
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
18.1%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
1.7%±1.8Lowest
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 — #57 of 120 in NH #43 of 70 in VT
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Gorham Randolph Shelburne Cooperative School District Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town Gorham High School Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.0Lowest
9.8Highest
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.