Compare towns

Townshend vs Highgate vs Newfane

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Townshend has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.8%).
Highgate has the most kids (15.8% under 18).
Newfane has the most people working from home (30.8%).

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.

MeasureTownshendHighgateNewfane
People
Population
1,538
3,528Highest
1,456Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-4.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
55.6±9.6Highest
29% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
54.4±3.9
26% above VT
Townshend and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12%±2.6
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
11.1%±3.7Lowest
VT: 17.9%
Highgate and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.3%±6.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
29.2%±3.9Highest
VT: 21.4%
Newfane and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
52.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
46.5%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.4%±0.8Lowest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Highest
VT: 7%
2.4%±2.1
VT: 7%
Highgate and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$78,750±$29k
3% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$66,719±$21kLowest
18% below VT
Highgate and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$287,200±$79kHighest
9% below VT
$280,500±$21kLowest
11% below VT
$284,200±$49k
10% below VT
Townshend and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,074±$80
13% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,266±$238Highest
about the VT average
Newfane and Townshend are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,364Highest
6% above VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$5,174
about the VT average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
72.5%±23.1Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
51.9%±79.7
VT: 48.4%
Townshend and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
10.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.6%
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
87.2%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
1971Lowest
5 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
25 minLowest
6% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
27 min
13% above VT
Work from home
28%±18.7
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
30.8%±12.5Highest
VT: 16.9%
Newfane and Townshend 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 West River Valley Union Education District #72B · West River Valley Union Education District #72A Missisquoi Valley School District #89 West River Valley Union Education District #72A
High school in town Leland & Gray Union Middle & High School Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town
Students per teacherat that high school
8.1Lowest
9.8Highest
—
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.