Compare towns
Swanton vs Unity vs Springfield vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Swanton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.3%).
Unity has the oldest population (median age 58).
Springfield has the most affordable homes ($192k 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 | Unity | Springfield | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 6,820 |
1,375Lowest |
9,084Highest |
3,528 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.3%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.3% U.S.: +7.4% |
-1.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 43.7±5.5 12% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
43.2±3.7Lowest 11% above U.S. |
44±7.4 13% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 20.7%±4.7Highest U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
18.6%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
15.8%±5.3 U.S.: 22% |
| Swanton and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.6%±3.7 U.S.: 17.2% |
22.2%±5.2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 23.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
23.3%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.5%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.6%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Swanton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $81,371±$14k about the U.S. average |
$87,500±$16kHighest 8% above U.S. |
$66,571±$13kLowest 18% below U.S. |
$81,017±$14k about the U.S. average |
| Unity and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $285,100±$35kHighest 14% below U.S. |
$276,100±$29k 17% below U.S. |
$192,400±$20kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$280,500±$21k 16% below U.S. |
| Swanton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,257±$133 11% below U.S. |
$1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
$963±$100 32% below U.S. |
$895±$691Lowest 37% below U.S. |
| Unity and Swanton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,449 43% above U.S. |
$5,394Highest 73% above U.S. |
$4,807 54% above U.S. |
$3,558Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 32.7%±14.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
49.6%±15.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Springfield and Unity are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 13% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
14.8%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.1% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
67.7%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
80.7% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 4 yrs older than U.S. |
1982Highest 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
1958Lowest 22 yrs older than U.S. |
1980 same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 11% below U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
27 min 3% above U.S. |
31 min 17% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 8.1%±3.6Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4 U.S.: 15.1% |
15.1%±5.5Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
14.9%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Springfield 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 | #27 of 70 in VT | — | #64 of 70 in VT | #43 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Unity School District | River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Springfield High School | Missisquoi Valley Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 14.3Highest |
9.8Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.