Compare towns
Jay vs Rupert vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Rupert has the most expensive homes ($363k median).
Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
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 | Jay | Rupert | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
676 |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5 21% above VT |
57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
44±7.4Lowest about the VT average |
| Rupert and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
13.9%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Highgate and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
30.6% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Highgate and Rupert are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$88,229±$36kHighest 9% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
| Rupert and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$362,500±$63kHighest 14% above VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
| Rupert and Highgate 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 |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 29% below VT |
$4,594Highest 9% below VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
20%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Jay and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
93.7% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
27 minLowest 14% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2 VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Rupert 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 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | — | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None 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.