Compare towns

Highgate vs St. George 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 the most renters (19.3% rent).
St. George has grown the fastest since 2010 (+17.8%).
Sheldon has the youngest population (median age 40.9).

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.

MeasureHighgateSt. GeorgeSheldon
People
Population
3,528Highest
812Lowest
2,267
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
+17.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-2.5%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
44.7±13.4Highest
4% above VT
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% below VT
St. George 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
VT: 17.9%
25.6%±7Highest
VT: 17.9%
23.7%±3.6
VT: 17.9%
St. George and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.9%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and St. George are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%
VT: 43.8%
53.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
14.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
5.9%±3.9Highest
VT: 7%
2%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
St. George 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
$109,464±$34kHighest
35% above VT
$78,533±$25kLowest
3% below VT
St. George 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
$376,800±$50kHighest
19% above VT
$272,400±$61kLowest
14% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,394±$132Highest
13% above VT
$1,286±$379
4% above VT
St. George and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$5,514Highest
9% above VT
$3,578
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
96%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±27Lowest
VT: 48.4%
St. George 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
VT: 10.1%
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
5.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
91.1%Highest
VT: 73.2%
89%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1977Lowest
1 yr newer than VT
1984Highest
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
19 minLowest
19% below VT
25 min
7% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
27.6%±8.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
13%±3.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
St. George 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 — 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

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.