Compare towns
Highgate vs Wayne vs Franklin
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).
Wayne has the oldest population (median age 62.6).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% 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.
| Measure | Highgate | Wayne | Franklin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,528Highest |
1,033Lowest |
1,590 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44±7.4 13% above U.S. |
62.6±3.6Highest 61% above U.S. |
38.8±6.9Lowest about the U.S. average |
| Kids under 18 | 15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
12.3%±3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.5%±5.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.2%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
40.1%±6Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.3%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
42.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.7% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
7.5%±3.1Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Franklin 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 U.S. average |
$90,938±$17kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$79,917±$21kLowest about the U.S. average |
| Wayne 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 16% below U.S. |
$266,700±$150k 20% below U.S. |
$247,400±$66kLowest 26% below U.S. |
| Highgate and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $895±$691 37% below U.S. |
$1,031±$304Highest 27% below U.S. |
$891±$266Lowest 37% below U.S. |
| Wayne and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,558 14% above U.S. |
$3,967Highest 27% above U.S. |
$3,384Lowest 8% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
38.9%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
45.5%±42.2Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Franklin and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.8%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
74.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 same as U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1983Highest 3 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 17% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 4% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
9.3%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±4.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Franklin 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 | — | — |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| 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 |
U.S. 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.