Compare towns

Franklin vs Moretown vs Highgate

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 kids (23.5% under 18).
Moretown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.7%).
Highgate has the oldest housing (typical home built 1980).

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.

MeasureFranklinMoretownHighgate
People
Population
1,590
1,532Lowest
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
46.8±3.8Highest
9% above VT
44±7.4
about the VT average
Moretown 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%
17.3%±3.6
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Moretown 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%
18%±2.4
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Moretown 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%
58.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
3.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Franklin and Moretown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,917±$21kLowest
about the VT average
$104,423±$7kHighest
29% above VT
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
$380,800±$36kHighest
20% above VT
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$891±$266
28% below VT
$838±$462Lowest
32% below VT
$895±$691Highest
27% below VT
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
33% below VT
$5,506Highest
9% above VT
$3,558
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
16.1%±14.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Highgate 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%
3.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 min
8% above VT
25 minLowest
6% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
Work from home
18.1%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
21.4%±6.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Moretown 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 Harwood Unified Union School District #60 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 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.