Compare towns
Highgate vs Rupert vs Franklin 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Franklin has the most affordable homes ($247k median).
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.
| Measure | Highgate | Rupert | Franklin | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,528Highest |
676Lowest |
1,590 |
2,267 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% 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 |
40.9±3.5 5% 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%±5.6 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Franklin 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%±1.4 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.5% VT: 43.8% |
30.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest 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±$21k about the VT average |
$78,533±$25kLowest 3% below VT |
| 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 |
$272,400±$61k 14% 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±$691 27% below VT |
— | $891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
| 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 29% below VT |
$4,594Highest 9% below VT |
$3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest 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% VT: 10.1% |
8.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
93.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7Lowest 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 | 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 | 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.