Compare towns
Highgate vs Stowe vs Worcester vs Williamstown
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).
Worcester has the oldest population (median age 47).
Williamstown has the most affordable homes ($235k median).
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 | Stowe | Worcester | Williamstown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,528 |
5,285Highest |
831Lowest |
3,579 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8% VT: +2.8% |
+21.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44±7.4 about the VT average |
46.3±7.6 7% above VT |
47±2.7Highest 9% above VT |
42±5Lowest about the VT average |
| Worcester and Stowe 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% |
22.5%±4.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
19.9%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Stowe and Williamstown 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% |
25.8%±6.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
17%±3.9Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Stowe and Highgate 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% |
66.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
17.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
1.6%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
4.8%±3.2 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Williamstown 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 |
$93,618±$33k 15% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$94,418±$10kHighest 16% above VT |
| Williamstown and Stowe 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 |
$647,800±$157kHighest 105% above VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$234,900±$24kLowest 26% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,458±$242 18% above VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
$1,659±$189Highest 34% above VT |
| Williamstown and Stowe 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 |
$7,161Highest 42% above VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
$3,841 24% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
24.5%±15.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
83.7%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Williamstown 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% |
9.9%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
78.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1982 6 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
19 minLowest 18% below VT |
29 min 22% above VT |
23 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
24.4%±8.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
13.9%±6.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Stowe and Worcester 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 | — | — | #47 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Stowe Town School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 |
| High school in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | Stowe High School | None in town | Williamstown Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.8 |
11.3Highest |
— | 9.5Lowest |
| 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.