Compare towns

Highgate vs Danby vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% 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.

MeasureHighgateDanbyFranklin
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,133Lowest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.1%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
52.6±4.8Highest
22% above VT
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Danby 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%
14.6%±3.4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Highgate 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%
24.3%±2.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Danby and Highgate 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%
34.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.5%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$77,321±$13kLowest
5% below VT
$79,917±$21k
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
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$272,400±$41k
14% below VT
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
Highgate and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Highest
27% below VT
$794±$166Lowest
36% below VT
$891±$266
28% 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
$3,558
29% below VT
$4,543Highest
10% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
41.4%±34.6
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
89.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1981
5 yrs newer than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
30 min
26% above VT
25 minLowest
8% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
12.1%±5.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7Highest
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 — —
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School 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

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.