Compare towns
Montgomery vs Vernon vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Montgomery has the oldest population (median age 51.5).
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Highgate has the most kids (15.8% 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 | Montgomery | Vernon | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,047Lowest |
2,709 |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -1.4% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 51.5±11.3Highest 19% above VT |
42.6±5.4Lowest about the VT average |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
| Montgomery and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.5%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Highgate and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.9%±8.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 52.8%Highest VT: 43.8% |
26.6% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±3.2 VT: 7% |
3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Vernon and Montgomery are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $53,289±$24kLowest 34% below VT |
$85,682±$9kHighest 6% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
| Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $323,200±$45kHighest about the VT average |
$285,100±$25k 10% below VT |
$280,500±$21kLowest 11% below VT |
| Montgomery and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $868±$209Lowest 30% below VT |
$1,023±$214Highest 17% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
| Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,326 14% below VT |
$5,191Highest 3% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 76.6%±68Highest VT: 48.4% |
26.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Montgomery and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 15.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 80.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1979Lowest 3 yrs newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 37 minHighest 58% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 16%±5.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Montgomery 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 | — | #30 of 70 in VT | #43 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Vernon School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None 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.