Compare towns
Highgate vs White River Junction vs Franklin vs Williamstown
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 oldest population (median age 44).
White River Junction has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.8%).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).
Williamstown has the highest household income ($94k).
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 | White River Junction | Franklin | Williamstown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,528 |
3,364 |
1,590Lowest |
3,579Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.8% VT: +2.8% |
+10.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 44±7.4Highest about the VT average |
33.7±3.2Lowest 22% below VT |
38.8±6.9 10% below VT |
42±5 about the VT average |
| Highgate and Williamstown 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% |
17.1%±5 VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
19.9%±5.2 VT: 17.9% |
| Franklin and Williamstown are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.2%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.5%±3.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4 VT: 21.4% |
17%±3.9 VT: 21.4% |
| Highgate and Williamstown 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% |
38.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
17.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
1.2%±1.1Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
4.8%±3.2 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Williamstown 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 |
$77,168±$4kLowest 5% below VT |
$79,917±$21k about the VT average |
$94,418±$10kHighest 16% above VT |
| Williamstown 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 |
$278,800±$78k 12% below VT |
$247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$234,900±$24kLowest 26% below VT |
| Highgate and White River Junction 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 |
$1,222±$216 about the VT average |
$891±$266Lowest 28% below VT |
$1,659±$189Highest 34% above VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,558 29% below VT |
$5,651Highest 12% above VT |
$3,384Lowest 33% below VT |
$3,841 24% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
42.9%±17.3 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
83.7%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Williamstown and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7% VT: 73.2% |
43.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
74.7% VT: 73.2% |
90.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1963Lowest 13 yrs older than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 minHighest 32% above VT |
15 minLowest 35% below VT |
25 min 8% above VT |
23 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
15.7%±5.8 VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
13.9%±6.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Franklin and White River Junction 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 | — | — | #47 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 |
| High school in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | — | None in town | Williamstown Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.8Highest |
— | — | 9.5Lowest |
| 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.