Compare towns

Waterville vs Highgate vs Sutton

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waterville has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Highgate has the most people working from home (14.9%).
Sutton has the most homeowners (85%).

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.

MeasureWatervilleHighgateSutton
People
Population
680Lowest
3,528Highest
790
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-1.8%
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
49.1±8.2Highest
14% above VT
44±7.4Lowest
about the VT average
46.6±5.7
8% above VT
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±8.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2Highest
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7
VT: 21.4%
Highgate and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8Lowest
VT: 7%
Waterville and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
$81,017±$14kHighest
about the VT average
$71,250±$18kLowest
12% below VT
Highgate and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$236,300±$15k
25% below VT
$280,500±$21kHighest
11% below VT
$231,100±$41kLowest
27% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,110±$93Highest
10% below VT
$895±$691Lowest
27% below VT
—
Waterville and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,957
21% below VT
$3,558Lowest
29% below VT
$3,975Highest
21% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±27.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1
VT: 48.4%
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%
VT: 10.1%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
85%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
1980Highest
4 yrs newer than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 minHighest
60% above VT
31 min
32% above VT
30 minLowest
26% above VT
Work from home
8.5%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
Highgate and Sutton 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 Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Missisquoi Valley School District #89 Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
High school in town None 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.