Compare towns

Sutton vs Sheffield vs Highgate

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sutton has the oldest population (median age 46.6).
Sheffield has the most affordable homes ($172k median).
Highgate has grown the fastest since 2010 (-1.8%).

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.

MeasureSuttonSheffieldHighgate
People
Population
790
573Lowest
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-3%
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
46.6±5.7Highest
8% above VT
42±8Lowest
about the VT average
44±7.4
about the VT average
Sutton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.3%±3.4Highest
VT: 17.9%
17.1%±6.6
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Sutton and Sheffield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.6%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
19.2%±4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
27.1%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
5.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
Sheffield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$18k
12% below VT
$58,333±$26kLowest
28% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
Highgate and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$231,100±$41k
27% below VT
$171,900±$50kLowest
46% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
Highgate and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$967±$79Highest
22% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
Sheffield and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,975Highest
21% below VT
$2,123Lowest
58% below VT
$3,558
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
61.5%±41.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Sheffield and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
6.6%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85%Highest
VT: 73.2%
83.7%
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Lowest
3 yrs newer than VT
1987Highest
11 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minLowest
26% above VT
30 min
28% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
Work from home
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
6.1%±2.7Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Sutton 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 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 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.