Compare towns

Franklin vs Windham 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 shortest commute (25 min average).
Windham has grown the fastest since 2010 (+16.4%).
Highgate has the oldest population (median age 44).

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.

MeasureFranklinWindhamHighgate
People
Population
1,590Lowest
16,038Highest
3,528
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+16.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
38.8±6.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
41.1±2.9
6% above U.S.
44±7.4Highest
13% above U.S.
Highgate and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.5%±5.6
U.S.: 22%
27.4%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 22%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Windham and Franklin 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%
15.5%±2.6
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
Highgate and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
21.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
62.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.8%±1.8
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Franklin and Windham 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 U.S. average
$189,583±$19kHighest
135% above U.S.
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$247,400±$66kLowest
26% below U.S.
$723,300±$50kHighest
117% above U.S.
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$891±$266Lowest
37% below U.S.
$3,218±$350Highest
128% above U.S.
$895±$691
37% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,384Lowest
8% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,558
14% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
45.5%±42.2
U.S.: 51.1%
52.2%±50.9Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Windham and Franklin 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%
2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
93.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1983
3 yrs newer than U.S.
1996Highest
16 yrs newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
4% below U.S.
31 min
17% above U.S.
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
Work from home
18.1%±4.7
U.S.: 15.1%
21.9%±4.4Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Windham 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 — #13 of 120 in NH #43 of 70 in VT
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Windham School District Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town None in town Windham High School Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Students per teacherat that high school —
12.8Highest
9.8Lowest
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.