Compare towns
Vernon vs Putney vs Highgate 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 highest household income ($86k).
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Highgate has the most homeowners (80.7%).
Brattleboro has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.1%).
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 | Putney | Highgate | Brattleboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,709 |
2,622Lowest |
3,528 |
12,122Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
+1.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
45.6±4.5Highest 6% above VT |
| Brattleboro 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% |
15.4%±4.1 VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
19%±2.8Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Brattleboro and Highgate 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% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2 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% |
48.6%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
4.1%±1.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,682±$9kHighest 6% above VT |
$79,706±$18k about the VT average |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
$58,241±$8kLowest 28% 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±$25k 10% below VT |
$300,000±$44kHighest 5% below VT |
$280,500±$21k 11% below VT |
$257,300±$18kLowest 19% below VT |
| Putney 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 |
$508±$482Lowest 59% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$1,074±$58Highest 13% below VT |
| Brattleboro and Vernon 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 |
$5,313 5% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,700Highest 13% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.2%±3.7Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
46.9%±9.6 VT: 48.4% |
| Putney and Brattleboro 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% |
16% VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
17.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.2% VT: 73.2% |
72.8% VT: 73.2% |
80.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
58.5%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1980Highest 4 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
19 min 19% below VT |
| Work from home | 6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
17.9%±4Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Brattleboro and Putney 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 | #32 of 70 in VT | #43 of 70 in VT | #33 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Vernon School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Missisquoi Valley Union High School | Brattleboro Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 9.8Highest |
9.0Lowest |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 6 photos → | None yet | 6 photos → |
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.