Compare towns

Highgate vs Newcomb 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 the most people working from home (14.9%).
Newcomb has the oldest population (median age 59.1).
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.

MeasureHighgateNewcombSheldon
People
Population
3,528Highest
490Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
—
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
59.1±10.1Highest
52% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Newcomb 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
U.S.: 22%
9.4%±4.7Lowest
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%±6.7Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Newcomb 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%
34.9%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
13.3%±5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$81,017±$14k
about the U.S. average
$108,750±$25kHighest
35% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Newcomb 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±$21kHighest
16% below U.S.
$254,800±$47kLowest
23% below U.S.
$272,400±$61k
18% below U.S.
Highgate and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
—
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558
14% above U.S.
$1,488Lowest
52% below U.S.
$3,578Highest
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Highgate and Newcomb are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.3%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
91%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
same as U.S.
1964Lowest
16 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
17 minLowest
36% below U.S.
25 min
5% below U.S.
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
10.2%±7.8Lowest
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 — Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School — 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.