Compare towns

Highgate vs Springfield vs Franklin

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 grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Springfield has the most expensive homes ($384k median).
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.

MeasureHighgateSpringfieldFranklin
People
Population
3,528Highest
1,122Lowest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-4%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
44±7.4
13% above U.S.
51.4±8.8Highest
32% above U.S.
38.8±6.9Lowest
about the U.S. average
Springfield 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%
15.1%±8Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.5%±5.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.8%±1.6
U.S.: 17.2%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Highgate and Springfield 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
U.S.: 35.7%
36.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
21.7%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
0%±1.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
7.5%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
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 U.S. average
$100,893±$19kHighest
25% above U.S.
$79,917±$21kLowest
about the U.S. average
Springfield 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
16% below U.S.
$384,100±$50kHighest
15% above U.S.
$247,400±$66kLowest
26% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691
37% below U.S.
$1,096±$217Highest
22% below U.S.
$891±$266Lowest
37% below U.S.
Springfield 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.
$5,946Highest
91% above U.S.
$3,384Lowest
8% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
U.S.: 51.1%
25.9%±64.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
45.5%±42.2Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
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%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
74.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
same as U.S.
1985Highest
5 yrs newer than U.S.
1983
3 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
17% above U.S.
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
25 minLowest
4% below U.S.
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.7%±11.6
U.S.: 15.1%
18.1%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Franklin and Springfield 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

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.