Compare towns
Lowell vs Highgate vs Franklin vs Westfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lowell has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.9%).
Highgate has the highest household income ($81k).
Franklin has the most people working from home (18.1%).
Westfield has the most expensive homes ($301k 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.
| Measure | Lowell | Highgate | Franklin | Westfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,070 |
3,528Highest |
1,590 |
536Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.9%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 32.9±6.5Lowest 24% below VT |
44±7.4Highest about the VT average |
38.8±6.9 10% below VT |
44±19.9Highest about the VT average |
| Kids under 18 | 30.7%±6.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.5%±5.6 VT: 17.9% |
27.1%±5.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Lowell and Westfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 12.3%±4.1Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
15.3%±1.4 VT: 21.4% |
29.7%±11.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Westfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 19.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
19.5% VT: 43.8% |
21.7% VT: 43.8% |
27.3%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.9 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
7.5%±3.1Highest VT: 7% |
3.2%±2.5 VT: 7% |
| Franklin and Westfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $57,404±$15kLowest 29% below VT |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$79,917±$21k about the VT average |
$72,500±$30k 11% below VT |
| Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $183,400±$33kLowest 42% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$247,400±$66k 22% below VT |
$301,400±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Westfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $945±$46Highest 23% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$891±$266 28% below VT |
$863±$187Lowest 30% below VT |
| Lowell and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,810Lowest 44% below VT |
$3,558 29% below VT |
$3,384 33% below VT |
$4,388Highest 13% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.3%±92.9Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
45.5%±42.2 VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±71.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Westfield and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
12.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
74.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
91.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1983 7 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 55 minHighest 135% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
25 minLowest 8% above VT |
30 min 29% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.5%±2.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
18.1%±4.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.4%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
| Franklin and Highgate 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 | Lowell School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — |
| 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 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.