Compare towns

Highgate vs Vernon vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Wheelock has the most people working from home (21.1%).

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.

MeasureHighgateVernonWheelock
People
Population
3,528Highest
2,709
717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
42.6±5.4Lowest
about the VT average
51±5.6Highest
18% above VT
Wheelock 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%
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.8%±2.1
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Vernon 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%
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3
VT: 7%
Vernon and Wheelock 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
$85,682±$9kHighest
6% above VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Vernon 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
$285,100±$25kHighest
10% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,023±$214Highest
17% below VT
—
Vernon 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
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Highgate and Vernon 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%
5.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
1989Highest
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
20 minLowest
14% below VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16Highest
VT: 16.9%
Wheelock 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 #30 of 70 in VT —
School district Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Vernon School District —
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.