Compare towns
Highgate vs Berlin vs Franklin vs Vernon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Berlin has the oldest population (median age 50.6).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
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.
| Measure | Highgate | Berlin | Franklin | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,528Highest |
2,880 |
1,590Lowest |
2,709 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-1.3% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44±7.4 about the VT average |
50.6±2.4Highest 17% above VT |
38.8±6.9Lowest 10% below VT |
42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
| Berlin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
16.6%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
26.8%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Berlin and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
28.5%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
26.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3.9%±2.9 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$86,691±$21kHighest 7% above VT |
$79,917±$21kLowest about the VT average |
$85,682±$9k 6% above VT |
| Berlin and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$273,600±$31k 14% below VT |
$247,400±$66kLowest 22% below VT |
$285,100±$25kHighest 10% below VT |
| Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $895±$691 27% below VT |
$1,169±$171Highest 5% below VT |
$891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,023±$214 17% below VT |
| Berlin and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,558 29% below VT |
$4,418 12% below VT |
$3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$5,191Highest 3% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
41%±19.9 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
26.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Franklin and Berlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.1% VT: 10.1% |
10.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
5.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
87.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
76.2% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1983Highest 7 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
21 min 10% below VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
11.7%±3.8 VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.4%±3.1Lowest 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 | #43 of 70 in VT | #16 of 70 in VT | — | #30 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Vernon School District |
| High school in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.8 |
— | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.