Compare towns
Randolph vs Highgate vs Tunbridge vs Northfield
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Randolph has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Highgate has the oldest population (median age 44).
Tunbridge has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.1%).
Northfield has the youngest population (median age 36.4).
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 | Randolph | Highgate | Tunbridge | Northfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 4,843 |
3,528 |
1,253Lowest |
5,920Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.1% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
+4.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 40.4±7.4 6% below VT |
44±7.4Highest about the VT average |
42.7±8.3 about the VT average |
36.4±4.1Lowest 16% below VT |
| Highgate and Tunbridge are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.3%±4.4 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
21.1%±4.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Tunbridge and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.9%±4.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
20.9%±1.6 VT: 21.4% |
20%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Randolph and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 40.8% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
42.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.6% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 11.2%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
3.6%±2 VT: 7% |
15.1%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Northfield and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $76,758±$6k 5% below VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$89,464±$26kHighest 10% above VT |
$71,768±$13kLowest 12% below VT |
| Tunbridge and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $278,700±$38k 12% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$315,300±$23kHighest about the VT average |
$274,400±$21kLowest 13% below VT |
| Tunbridge and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,172±$173 5% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,346±$128Highest 9% above VT |
$1,018±$207 18% below VT |
| Tunbridge and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,698 7% below VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,645 8% below VT |
$4,878Highest 3% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 54.1%±17.8 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
76.7%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
| Tunbridge and Northfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 7.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
14.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
12.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 67.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
84.2%Highest VT: 73.2% |
73.5% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 5 yrs older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1981Highest 5 yrs newer than VT |
1956Lowest 20 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 12% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
27 min 16% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.9%±4.7 VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
25.8%±8.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
12.1%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Tunbridge 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 | #55 of 70 in VT | #43 of 70 in VT | — | #42 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | First Branch Unified School District #82 | Paine Mountain Union School District #68 |
| High school in town | Randolph Union High School | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | Northfield Middle/High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 9.4Lowest |
9.8 |
— | 10.0Highest |
| 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.