Compare towns

Proctor vs Highgate vs Plainfield

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Proctor has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.3%).
Highgate has the highest household income ($81k).
Plainfield has the most expensive homes ($318k 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.

MeasureProctorHighgatePlainfield
People
Population
1,794
3,528Highest
1,314Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.3%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.4±6.4Lowest
about the VT average
44±7.4
about the VT average
48.1±5.5Highest
12% above VT
Plainfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±4.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
Proctor and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.4%±2.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
21.1%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Proctor and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.1%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.6%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.1%±1.3Lowest
VT: 7%
Proctor and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,167±$12k
9% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$69,250±$31kLowest
15% below VT
Highgate and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$209,900±$17kLowest
34% below VT
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$318,400±$34kHighest
about the VT average
Plainfield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,029±$202
17% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,153±$103Highest
7% below VT
Plainfield and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,032
20% below VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$4,806Highest
5% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.3%±16.2
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Proctor are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.2%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
11.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
86.7%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.9%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1955
21 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
22 minLowest
6% below VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
24 min
about the VT average
Work from home
9.4%±4.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
16.4%±4.4Highest
VT: 16.9%
Plainfield 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 Quarry Valley Unified Union School District #70 Missisquoi Valley School District #89 —
High school in town Proctor Junior/Senior High School Missisquoi Valley Union High School —
Students per teacherat that high school
8.7Lowest
9.8Highest
—
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.