Compare towns
Vernon vs Putney vs Middlesex vs Highgate
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Putney has the youngest population (median age 37.2).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Highgate has the most affordable homes ($281k median).
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 | Middlesex | Highgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,709 |
2,622 |
1,943Lowest |
3,528Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.6% VT: +2.8% |
-3.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-1.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42.6±5.4 about the VT average |
37.2±5.2Lowest 14% below VT |
44.4±3.9Highest 3% above VT |
44±7.4 about the VT average |
| Middlesex 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% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3 VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex 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% |
18.1%±3.8Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 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% |
48.6% VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
20.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Lowest VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,682±$9k 6% above VT |
$79,706±$18kLowest about the VT average |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
$81,017±$14k about the VT average |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $285,100±$25k 10% below VT |
$300,000±$44k 5% below VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
$280,500±$21kLowest 11% below VT |
| Middlesex and Putney 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 |
$1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
| Middlesex 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 |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.2%±3.7 VT: 48.4% |
54.2%±19.4Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Putney 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% |
16%Highest VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 76.2% VT: 73.2% |
72.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
1986Highest 10 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 14% below VT |
18 minLowest 24% below VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 6.4%±3.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
16.9%±6.5 VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex 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 |
| School district | Vernon School District | Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 |
| High school in town | None 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 | 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.