Compare towns

Holland vs Highgate vs Orleans

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Holland has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.5%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Orleans has the most affordable homes ($156k 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.

MeasureHollandHighgateOrleans
People
Population
790Lowest
3,528Highest
809
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.5%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-3.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
41.8±3.9
3% below VT
44±7.4Highest
about the VT average
41.7±5.8Lowest
3% below VT
Highgate and Holland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23.9%±3.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.9%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
Holland and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.1%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.7%±3.2Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Holland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
24.8%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.7%±2.1
VT: 7%
Holland and Orleans are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$60,729±$16k
25% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$57,159±$10kLowest
30% below VT
Highgate and Holland are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$209,400±$44k
34% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$156,300±$18kLowest
51% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,330±$69Highest
8% above VT
$895±$691
27% below VT
$810±$94Lowest
34% below VT
Holland and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,463
31% below VT
$3,558Highest
29% below VT
$3,019Lowest
40% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.5%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
27.3%±17.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Holland and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
13.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
72%
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
64.1%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
5 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
9% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
31 minHighest
33% above VT
Work from home
6.3%±6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
8.3%±3.7
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Orleans 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 —
High school in town — Missisquoi Valley Union High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
9.8
—
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.