Compare towns
Irasburg vs Highgate vs Lowell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Irasburg has grown the fastest since 2010 (+6%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Lowell has the most kids (30.7% 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 | Irasburg | Highgate | Lowell |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,384 |
3,528Highest |
1,070Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+0.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.3±5.3 6% below VT |
44±7.4Highest about the VT average |
32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
| Highgate and Irasburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 24.4%±3 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Irasburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2 VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Highgate and Irasburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±2.5Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
| Irasburg and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $98,534±$13kHighest 21% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
| Irasburg and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $230,800±$22k 27% below VT |
$280,500±$21kHighest 11% below VT |
$183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,063±$86Highest 14% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$945±$46 23% below VT |
| Irasburg and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,966Highest 21% below VT |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 17%±28.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
26.3%±92.9 VT: 48.4% |
| Highgate and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
9.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.1% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 12 yrs newer than VT |
1980Lowest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 3% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
55 minHighest 135% above VT |
| Work from home | 5.7%±2.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.5%±2.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Highgate and Lowell 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 | Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Lowell School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.