Compare towns
Franklin vs Halifax vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Franklin has the highest household income ($80k).
Halifax has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.9%).
Lowell has the most affordable homes ($183k median).
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 | Halifax | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,590Highest |
847Lowest |
1,070 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 38.8±6.9 10% below VT |
40.6±13.1Highest 6% below VT |
32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
| Halifax and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23.5%±5.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
25.4%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Halifax are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.3%±1.4 VT: 21.4% |
22.6%±7.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Halifax and Franklin 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% |
44.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
1.2%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,917±$21kHighest about the VT average |
$63,889±$7k 21% below VT |
$57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
| Franklin and Halifax 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 |
$267,500±$21kHighest 16% below VT |
$183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
| Halifax and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $891±$266 28% below VT |
$875±$154Lowest 29% below VT |
$945±$46Highest 23% below VT |
| Lowell and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,384 33% below VT |
$4,991Highest about the VT average |
$2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
57.1%±73.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Halifax and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.6% VT: 10.1% |
6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
9.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.6% VT: 73.2% |
94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1968Lowest 8 yrs older than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 8% above VT |
33 min 38% above VT |
55 minHighest 135% above VT |
| Work from home | 18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
29.9%±11.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Halifax and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Halifax School District | Lowell School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| 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.