Compare towns
Wilmington vs Highgate vs Dover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wilmington has the oldest population (median age 59.1).
Highgate has the most kids (15.8% under 18).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).
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 | Wilmington | Highgate | Dover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,747 |
3,528Highest |
1,466Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +20.2% VT: +2.8% |
-1.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+60%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 59.1±4.8Highest 37% above VT |
44±7.4Lowest about the VT average |
53.5±8.3 24% above VT |
| Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 9.6%±4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
15.8%±5.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
10.2%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Highgate and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 32.6%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.2%±5.2Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.5%±6.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46.8% VT: 43.8% |
19.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.7%±2.2Lowest VT: 7% |
2.6%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
2.5%±2.9 VT: 7% |
| Highgate and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $70,000±$23k 14% below VT |
$81,017±$14kHighest about the VT average |
$52,313±$7kLowest 36% below VT |
| Highgate and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $287,700±$16k 9% below VT |
$280,500±$21kLowest 11% below VT |
$332,900±$55kHighest 5% above VT |
| Dover and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,106±$95Highest 10% below VT |
$895±$691 27% below VT |
$670±$49Lowest 46% below VT |
| Wilmington and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,299Highest 5% above VT |
$3,558Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,510 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40.3%±23Highest VT: 48.4% |
30.5%±11.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
38.1%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
| Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.1%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.3% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 74%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
80.7% VT: 73.2% |
81.1%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Lowest 1 yr older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1984Highest 8 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 9% below VT |
31 minHighest 32% above VT |
22 min 6% below VT |
| Work from home | 10.8%±6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14.9%±7.2 VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±11.1Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Dover 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 | Twin Valley Unified School District #75 | Missisquoi Valley School District #89 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| 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.