Compare towns

Highgate vs Williamstown vs Proctor

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 expensive homes ($281k median).
Williamstown has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.7%).
Proctor has the most affordable homes ($210k median).

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.

MeasureHighgateWilliamstownProctor
People
Population
3,528
3,579Highest
1,794Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.7%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+1.3%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44±7.4Highest
about the VT average
42±5Lowest
about the VT average
42.4±6.4
about the VT average
Highgate and Proctor 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%
19.9%±5.2
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Proctor and Williamstown 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%
17%±3.9Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.4%±2.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
Proctor and Highgate 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%
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
28.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
4.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
3.6%±1.7
VT: 7%
Williamstown and Proctor 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
$94,418±$10kHighest
16% above VT
$74,167±$12kLowest
9% below 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
$234,900±$24k
26% below VT
$209,900±$17kLowest
34% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
$1,029±$202
17% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$3,841
24% below VT
$4,032Highest
20% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
37.3%±16.2
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown and Proctor 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%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
16.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
86.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1986Highest
10 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
32% above VT
23 min
about the VT average
22 minLowest
6% below VT
Work from home
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±6.6
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Williamstown 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 Paine Mountain Union School District #68 Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70
High school in town Missisquoi Valley Union High School Williamstown Middle/High School Proctor Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school
9.8Highest
9.5
8.7Lowest
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.