Compare towns

Highgate vs Monkton 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 the most renters (19.3% rent).
Monkton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
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.

MeasureHighgateMonktonSheldon
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,999Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
47.1±5.4Highest
9% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
Monkton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.1%±3.8
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Sheldon and Monkton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
20.2%±2.8
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Monkton 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%
50%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Highgate and Monkton 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
$119,688±$28kHighest
47% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
Monkton 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
11% below VT
$379,900±$18kHighest
20% above VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,301±$120Highest
5% above VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
Monkton and Sheldon 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
$5,887Highest
17% above VT
$3,578
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
62.1%±64Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Monkton and Highgate 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%
4.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
5.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
96.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1988Highest
12 yrs newer than VT
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
29 min
24% above VT
25 minLowest
7% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
26.7%±4.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Monkton 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 Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 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.