Compare towns

Franklin vs Poultney 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).
Poultney has the youngest population (median age 28.2).
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.

MeasureFranklinPoultneyHighgate
People
Population
1,590
1,033Lowest
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%
VT: +2.8%
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
38.8±6.9
10% below VT
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
44±7.4Highest
about the VT average
Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
16.8%±5
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Poultney 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%
21.1%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Poultney 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%
38.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±3.1
VT: 7%
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$79,917±$21k
about the VT average
$70,536±$11kLowest
13% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT 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
22% below VT
$196,600±$43kLowest
38% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% 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±$266
28% below VT
$868±$113Lowest
30% 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
$3,450
32% below VT
$3,558Highest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
23.2%±12.4Lowest
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%
VT: 10.1%
11.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.7%
VT: 73.2%
56.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
8% above VT
31 minHighest
33% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
Work from home
18.1%±4.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
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 — #41 of 70 in VT #43 of 70 in VT
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 — Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school 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

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.