Compare towns

Highgate vs Monkton vs Vernon

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 affordable homes ($281k median).
Monkton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).
Vernon has the shortest commute (20 min average).

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.

MeasureHighgateMonktonVernon
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,999Lowest
2,709
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
47.1±5.4Highest
9% above VT
42.6±5.4Lowest
about the VT average
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%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
18.1%±3.8Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Monkton 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%
20.2%±2.8Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
Vernon 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%
50%Highest
VT: 43.8%
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 7%
3%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
Vernon 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±$14kLowest
about the VT average
$119,688±$28kHighest
47% above VT
$85,682±$9k
6% above VT
Monkton and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,500±$21kLowest
11% below VT
$379,900±$18kHighest
20% above VT
$285,100±$25k
10% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,301±$120Highest
5% above VT
$1,023±$214
17% below VT
Monkton and Vernon 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
$5,191
3% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
62.1%±64Highest
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7Lowest
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%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
96.6%Highest
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1988Highest
12 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
29 min
24% above VT
20 minLowest
14% below VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
26.7%±4.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
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 — #30 of 70 in VT
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Mt. Abraham Unified School District #61 Vernon School District
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.