Compare towns

Highgate vs Newfields 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 renters (19.3% rent).
Newfields has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
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.

MeasureHighgateNewfieldsSheldon
People
Population
3,528Highest
2,023Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.3%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
44.1±1.8Highest
13% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Newfields 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
U.S.: 22%
18.9%±1.6
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Newfields are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
13.6%±0.9
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%
U.S.: 35.7%
68.1%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%
7.5%±7.2Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Newfields 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±$14k
about the U.S. average
$197,885±$15kHighest
145% above U.S.
$78,533±$25kLowest
about the U.S. average
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$280,500±$21k
16% below U.S.
$646,400±$34kHighest
94% above U.S.
$272,400±$61kLowest
18% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
37% below U.S.
$1,875±$323Highest
33% above U.S.
$1,286±$379
9% below U.S.
Newfields and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
14% above U.S.
$10,000+Highest
at least 221% above U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
U.S.: 51.1%
43.3%±40.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Newfields 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
U.S.: 12.5%
2.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
95.3%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1991Highest
11 yrs newer than U.S.
1984
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
17% above U.S.
26 min
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
U.S.: 15.1%
25.5%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Newfields 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 Newfields School District 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

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.