Compare towns

Highgate vs Topsham vs Troy

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 expensive homes ($281k median).
Topsham has the oldest population (median age 50.1).
Troy has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).

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.

MeasureHighgateTopshamTroy
People
Population
3,528Highest
999Lowest
1,749
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+2.2%
VT: +2.8%
+3.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
50.1±5.9Highest
16% above VT
44.5±5.7
3% above VT
Topsham and Troy 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%
18%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
21.4%±3.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
Troy and Topsham 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%
23.2%±4.8Highest
VT: 21.4%
17.7%±3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Topsham 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%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
28.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
20.2%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
1.7%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
2.7%±1.4Highest
VT: 7%
Troy 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
$72,308±$60kLowest
11% below VT
$87,938±$11kHighest
8% above VT
Troy 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±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$222,900±$56kLowest
30% below VT
$233,200±$21k
26% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691
27% below VT
$908±$398Highest
26% below VT
$646±$323Lowest
48% below VT
Topsham and Highgate 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
$4,006Highest
21% below VT
$3,644
28% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
91.9%±28.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.8%±26.3
VT: 48.4%
Below poverty line
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
18.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.3%Highest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
32% above VT
35 minHighest
49% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.2%±5.8
VT: 16.9%
7.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Topsham 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 Waits River Union High District #36 Troy School District
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

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.