Compare towns

Highgate vs Holderness 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

Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Holderness has the highest household income ($108k).
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.

MeasureHighgateHoldernessSheldon
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,917Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44±7.4Highest
13% above U.S.
39.4±7.4Lowest
about the U.S. average
40.9±3.5
5% above U.S.
Highgate and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.3
U.S.: 22%
14.7%±9.3Lowest
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+
22.2%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
31.4%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Holderness 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%
U.S.: 35.7%
55.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.6%±1.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
$107,863±$45kHighest
34% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Holderness and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
$363,100±$60kHighest
9% above U.S.
$272,400±$61kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
$2,068±$385Highest
46% above U.S.
$1,286±$379
9% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
14% above U.S.
$3,923Highest
26% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
23.5%±21.2
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Highgate and Holderness are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
12.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
83.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
27 min
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
9.4%±4.1Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
Highgate and Sheldon 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 Holderness School District Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
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

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.