Compare towns

Heath vs Highgate vs Sheldon

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).
Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasureHeathHighgateSheldon
People
Population
765Lowest
3,528Highest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+2.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
53.8±11.9Highest
38% above U.S.
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
13.1%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
15.8%±5.3
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.6%±8.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
22.2%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
19.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.3%±2.8Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$98,750±$23kHighest
22% above U.S.
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$295,000±$45kHighest
11% below U.S.
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
$272,400±$61kLowest
18% below U.S.
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,438Highest
42% above U.S.
$3,558Lowest
14% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
30.5%±11.3
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Heath and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
8.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 minHighest
32% above U.S.
31 min
17% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
31.7%±17.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.9%±7.2
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Heath 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 Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town — Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8
—
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.