Compare towns

Highgate vs Vernon vs Whitingham

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 people working from home (14.9%).
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Whitingham has the most kids (19.8% 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.

MeasureHighgateVernonWhitingham
People
Population
3,528Highest
2,709
1,368Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4
about the VT average
42.6±5.4Lowest
about the VT average
46.4±7.1Highest
8% above VT
Whitingham 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%
19.8%±4.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Whitingham 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%
31.1%±2.3Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
32.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
3%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.2%±1.9Lowest
VT: 7%
Vernon 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
$85,682±$9kHighest
6% above VT
$70,625±$11kLowest
13% 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
$262,300±$30kLowest
17% 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±$691
27% below VT
$1,023±$214Highest
17% below VT
$673±$150Lowest
45% 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
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
$5,055
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
26.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
62.7%±47.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
Whitingham 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%
5.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
15.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
85.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1974Lowest
2 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
32% above VT
20 minLowest
14% below VT
38 minHighest
62% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
9.7%±5.2
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Whitingham 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 Twin Valley Unified School District #75
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town Twin Valley Middle High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Highest
—
7.8Lowest
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.