Compare towns

Franklin vs Highgate vs Wolcott

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 most people working from home (18.1%).
Highgate has the most expensive homes ($281k median).
Wolcott has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).

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.

MeasureFranklinHighgateWolcott
People
Population
1,590
3,528Highest
1,507Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
44±7.4Highest
about the VT average
42.4±5.9
about the VT average
Highgate and Wolcott 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%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
22.8%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Wolcott 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%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
11.1%±2.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
31.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Franklin and Wolcott 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
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$70,259±$10kLowest
13% below VT
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
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$221,300±$23kLowest
30% 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
$895±$691
27% below VT
$1,059±$118Highest
14% below VT
Wolcott 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
$3,558
29% below VT
$3,930Highest
22% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±42.2
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
75.7%±21.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
Wolcott 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%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.3%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
79.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
8% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
27 min
13% above VT
Work from home
18.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±4.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
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 Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Wolcott School District
High school in town None in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8
—
On TownTapestry
Old photos in Our Story 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.