Compare towns
Swanton vs Ripton vs Highgate vs North Hero
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Swanton has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Highgate has the most affordable homes ($281k median).
North Hero has the most expensive homes ($451k 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.
| Measure | Swanton | Ripton | Highgate | North Hero |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,820Highest |
508Lowest |
3,528 |
1,263 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.3% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+16.9% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.5Lowest about the VT average |
47.7±14.2 11% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
54.2±6.7Highest 26% above VT |
| North Hero and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
16.8%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Swanton and North Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±3.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
27.3%±4 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and North Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.3% VT: 43.8% |
48%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
47.4% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.6 VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.5%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $81,371±$14k about the VT average |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$81,017±$14kLowest about the VT average |
$102,143±$24k 26% above VT |
| Ripton and North Hero are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $285,100±$35k 10% below VT |
$394,400±$61k 25% above VT |
$280,500±$21kLowest 11% below VT |
$451,400±$66kHighest 43% above VT |
| North Hero and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,257±$133 about the VT average |
— | $895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,556±$360Highest 26% above VT |
| North Hero and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,449 12% below VT |
$4,915 about the VT average |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,132Highest about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.7%±14.2 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
56.3%±98.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
| North Hero and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 13%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
7.3%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.9% VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.3%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest about the VT average |
24 min about the VT average |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
30 min 28% above VT |
| Work from home | 8.1%±3.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
15.4%±8.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Ripton and North Hero 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 | #27 of 70 in VT | — | #43 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Champlain Islands Unified Union School District #66 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.8 |
— |
| 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.