Compare towns
Vernon vs Highgate vs Middlesex vs Brattleboro
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 youngest population (median age 42.6).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Brattleboro has the most renters (41.5% rent).
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 | Vernon | Highgate | Middlesex | Brattleboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,709 |
3,528 |
1,943Lowest |
12,122Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+1.1% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.4Lowest about the VT average |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
45.6±4.5Highest 6% above VT |
| Brattleboro and Middlesex 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% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
19%±2.8 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Brattleboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.8%±2.1 VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest VT: 21.4% |
25.5%±3.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Brattleboro and Vernon 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% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
46.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6Highest VT: 7% |
4.1%±1.6 VT: 7% |
| Middlesex and Brattleboro 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 |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$58,241±$8kLowest 28% below VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $285,100±$25k 10% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$257,300±$18kLowest 19% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$214 17% below VT |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$1,074±$58 13% below VT |
| Middlesex and Brattleboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,191 3% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$5,700 13% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.2%±3.7 VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±9.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Brattleboro 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% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
17.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.2% VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.5%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
19 minLowest 19% below VT |
| Work from home | 6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.9%±4 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex and Brattleboro 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 | — | #33 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Vernon School District | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | None in town | Brattleboro Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8Highest |
— | 9.0Lowest |
| 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.