Compare towns

Strafford vs Highgate vs Vershire

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
Vershire has the most affordable homes ($209k 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.

MeasureStraffordHighgateVershire
People
Population
1,372
3,528Highest
842Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-7.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
45.7±9.3
6% above VT
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
19.1%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.1%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
31.8%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
Vershire and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
$71,618±$12kLowest
12% below VT
Strafford and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$209,100±$55kLowest
34% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,117±$80
9% below VT
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$4,640
8% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
77.8%±24.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
Vershire and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
19.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
81.5%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1985Highest
9 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
23 minLowest
about the VT average
31 min
32% above VT
32 minHighest
38% above VT
Work from home
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
12.3%±4.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Strafford 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 Strafford School District Missisquoi Valley School District #89 —
High school 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.