Compare towns

Highgate vs Mendon vs Williamstown

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Highgate has the most renters (19.3% rent).
Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
Williamstown has the most kids (19.9% 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.

MeasureHighgateMendonWilliamstown
People
Population
3,528
1,113Lowest
3,579Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+8.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+3.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
53.4±10.5Highest
24% above VT
42±5Lowest
about the VT average
Mendon 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%±5.2Lowest
VT: 17.9%
19.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Williamstown 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%
29%±1.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
17%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%
VT: 43.8%
49.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.1%±2.1
VT: 7%
4.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
Williamstown and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14kLowest
about the VT average
$100,524±$23kHighest
24% above VT
$94,418±$10k
16% above VT
Mendon and Williamstown 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
$357,000±$44kHighest
13% above VT
$234,900±$24kLowest
26% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,230±$651
about the VT average
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
Williamstown and Mendon 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
$5,342Highest
6% above VT
$3,841
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
88.6%±42.7Highest
VT: 48.4%
83.7%±100
VT: 48.4%
Mendon and Williamstown 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%
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
92.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
17 minLowest
28% below VT
23 min
about the VT average
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
22.5%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±6.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Mendon 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 — #47 of 70 in VT
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 — Paine Mountain Union School District #68
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School — Williamstown Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Highest
—
9.5Lowest
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.