Compare towns

Vershire vs Highgate vs Strafford

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Vershire has the most affordable homes ($209k median).
Highgate has the youngest population (median age 44).
Strafford has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).

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.

MeasureVershireHighgateStrafford
People
Population
842Lowest
3,528Highest
1,372
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-7.9%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-0.4%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
45.7±9.3
6% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
51.4±4.7Highest
19% above VT
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
19.1%±4.5
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
22.2%±5Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.1%±3.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.8%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
53.3%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.2%±2.6Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1Lowest
VT: 7%
5.1%±2.6
VT: 7%
Vershire and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,618±$12kLowest
12% below VT
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
$110,833±$19kHighest
36% above VT
Strafford and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$209,100±$55kLowest
34% below VT
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$431,300±$40kHighest
36% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,117±$80
9% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
$1,125±$789Highest
9% below VT
Strafford and Vershire are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,640
8% below VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$7,149Highest
42% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
77.8%±24.5Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
44.6%±48
VT: 48.4%
Vershire and Strafford are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
19.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
5.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
81.5%
VT: 73.2%
80.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
88.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1985Highest
9 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 minHighest
38% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
12.3%±4.1Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2
VT: 16.9%
16.1%±4.3Highest
VT: 16.9%
Strafford and Highgate 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 — #43 of 70 in VT —
School district — Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Strafford School District
High school in town — Missisquoi Valley Union High School None in town
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.