Compare towns

Poultney vs Highgate vs Hancock

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Poultney has the youngest population (median age 28.2).
Highgate has the most expensive homes ($281k median).
Hancock has the shortest commute (28 min average).

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.

MeasurePoultneyHighgateHancock
People
Population
1,033
3,528Highest
435Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-33.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
—
Median age
28.2±4.5Lowest
35% below VT
44±7.4Highest
about the VT average
33.8±11.6
22% below VT
Highgate and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.8%±5
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.2%±5.8Highest
VT: 17.9%
Hancock and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±6.6
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
19.8%±3.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
38.4%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.3%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
22.1%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
3.7%±3.6
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,536±$11kLowest
13% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$76,250±$34k
6% below VT
Highgate and Hancock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,600±$43k
38% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$187,900±$11kLowest
41% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$868±$113Lowest
30% below VT
$895±$691
27% below VT
$939±$19Highest
24% below VT
Hancock and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,450Lowest
32% below VT
$3,558Highest
29% below VT
$3,511
30% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
23.2%±12.4
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Highest
VT: 48.4%
3.5%±16.9Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Highgate and Poultney are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
5.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
56.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
59.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1972
4 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
33% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
11.3%±3.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.7%±5
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Hancock 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 #41 of 70 in VT #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.