Compare towns

Groton vs Highgate vs Ryegate

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Groton has the most homeowners (94.4%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Ryegate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.8%).

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.

MeasureGrotonHighgateRyegate
People
Population
967Lowest
3,528Highest
1,059
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-0.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.7±5.8Highest
6% above VT
44±7.4
about the VT average
41.2±2.6Lowest
4% below VT
Groton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.3%±2.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
23.2%±4.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Ryegate and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.5%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±1.5
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Ryegate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
29.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.5%±5.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.4%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
Groton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,250±$14k
5% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$66,484±$15kLowest
18% below VT
Highgate and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$243,000±$70k
23% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$219,300±$32kLowest
31% below VT
Highgate and Groton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$288±$151Lowest
77% below VT
$895±$691
27% below VT
$908±$236Highest
26% below VT
Ryegate and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,659Highest
27% below VT
$3,558
29% below VT
$3,472Lowest
31% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
12.5%±72.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
55.9%±29.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
Ryegate and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.8%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
14.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
84.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1949Lowest
27 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 min
29% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
28 minLowest
18% above VT
Work from home
12.3%±7
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
8.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Groton 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 —
High school 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.