Compare towns
Vernon vs Highgate vs Swanton
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Vernon has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Swanton has the most kids (24.3% under 18).
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 | Swanton |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,709 |
3,528Highest |
2,670Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
-2.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
44±7.4Highest about the VT average |
37.8±4.7Lowest 12% below VT |
| Highgate and Vernon 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% |
24.3%±8.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Swanton 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% |
22.2%±5.2 VT: 21.4% |
19.3%±2.7Lowest 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%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
20.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1 VT: 7% |
2.2%±1.7Lowest 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±$9kHighest 6% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$66,607±$27kLowest 18% below VT |
| Vernon and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $285,100±$25kHighest 10% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$229,000±$15kLowest 28% below VT |
| Vernon and Highgate 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 |
$895±$691Lowest 27% below VT |
$1,238±$103Highest about the VT average |
| Swanton 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 |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,370 13% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
36.1%±21.6Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Swanton and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
20.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.2% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
64.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1952Lowest 24 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 20 minLowest 14% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
21 min 9% below VT |
| Work from home | 6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2Highest VT: 16.9% |
7.4%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Highgate and Swanton 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 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | — |
| High school in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 9.8 |
— |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 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.