Compare towns

Highgate vs Rupert vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% 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.

MeasureHighgateRupertFranklin
People
Population
3,528Highest
676Lowest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.2%
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
57.8±9.7Highest
34% above VT
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Rupert 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%
13.9%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin 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%
42.3%±8.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
30.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.1%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Franklin 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 VT average
$88,229±$36kHighest
9% above VT
$79,917±$21kLowest
about the VT average
Rupert 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
$362,500±$63kHighest
14% above VT
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
Rupert and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Highest
27% below VT
—
$891±$266Lowest
28% below VT
Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558
29% below VT
$4,594Highest
9% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
20%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
93.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
27 min
14% above VT
25 minLowest
8% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.6%±9.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
Rupert and Franklin 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 — Missisquoi Valley School District #89
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

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.