Compare towns
Highgate vs Jamaica vs Sheldon
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%).
Jamaica has the most people working from home (23.2%).
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.
| Measure | Highgate | Jamaica | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,528Highest |
882Lowest |
2,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44±7.4 about the VT average |
55.1±5.5Highest 28% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
| Jamaica 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% |
13.7%±6.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| 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 VT: 21.4% |
30%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Jamaica 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% VT: 43.8% |
48.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
3.9%±3.6Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Jamaica 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 |
$79,219±$19k about the VT average |
$78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
| Highgate and Jamaica 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 |
$347,800±$50kHighest 10% above VT |
$272,400±$61kLowest 14% below VT |
| Jamaica 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 |
$870±$464Lowest 29% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| Sheldon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,773Highest 5% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
7.1%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Highgate and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
23 minLowest 4% below VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±12.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jamaica 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 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | 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 |
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.