Compare towns

Vernon vs Elmore vs Highgate

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Vernon has the shortest commute (20 min average).
Elmore has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).

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.

MeasureVernonElmoreHighgate
People
Population
2,709
964Lowest
3,528Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
+3.6%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
42.6±5.4Lowest
about the VT average
45±3.5Highest
4% above VT
44±7.4
about the VT average
Elmore and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.1%±3.6Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.4%±9.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3
VT: 17.9%
Elmore and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.8%±2.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
14.6%±2.6Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
26.6%
VT: 43.8%
47.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3%±1.7Highest
VT: 7%
1.3%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$85,682±$9k
6% above VT
$98,750±$24kHighest
22% above VT
$81,017±$14kLowest
about the VT average
Elmore and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$285,100±$25k
10% below VT
$315,800±$47kHighest
about the VT average
$280,500±$21kLowest
11% below VT
Elmore and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$214
17% below VT
$1,225±$263Highest
about the VT average
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
Elmore and Vernon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,191Highest
3% above VT
$5,066
about the VT average
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
26.2%±3.7Lowest
VT: 48.4%
31.8%±65.8Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3
VT: 48.4%
Elmore and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.5%
VT: 10.1%
3.3%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
76.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
92.8%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
1978Lowest
2 yrs newer than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 minLowest
14% below VT
29 min
25% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
Work from home
6.4%±3.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
9.4%±4.3
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Elmore 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 #30 of 70 in VT — #43 of 70 in VT
School district Vernon School District Elmore-Morristown Unified Union School District #90 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.