Compare towns
Highgate vs Washington vs Sheldon vs Vernon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Washington has the oldest population (median age 52.9).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Vernon has the shortest commute (20 min average).
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 | Washington | Sheldon | Vernon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,528Highest |
1,056Lowest |
2,267 |
2,709 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-0.7% VT: +2.8% |
-2.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44±7.4 about the VT average |
52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
| Washington 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% |
16.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Washington 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% |
24.3%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
| Washington 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% VT: 43.8% |
31%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
26.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Vernon and Washington 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 |
$66,103±$8kLowest 19% below VT |
$78,533±$25k 3% below VT |
$85,682±$9kHighest 6% above 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 |
$217,700±$37kLowest 31% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$285,100±$25kHighest 10% 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 |
$996±$285 19% below VT |
$1,286±$379Highest 4% above VT |
$1,023±$214 17% below VT |
| Sheldon and Vernon 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 |
$3,485Lowest 31% below VT |
$3,578 29% below VT |
$5,191Highest 3% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
34.5%±63.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
26.2%±3.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Washington 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% |
3.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.1% VT: 10.1% |
5.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
94.4%Highest VT: 73.2% |
89% VT: 73.2% |
76.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±5.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| 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 | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Vernon School District |
| High school in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | 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 | 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.