Compare towns

Windham vs Highgate vs Franklin

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Windham has the most expensive homes ($354k median).
Highgate has the oldest housing (typical home built 1980).
Franklin has the most kids (23.5% under 18).

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.

MeasureWindhamHighgateFranklin
People
Population
594Lowest
3,528Highest
1,590
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-1.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
44.2±7.4Highest
about the VT average
44±7.4
about the VT average
38.8±6.9Lowest
10% below VT
Windham and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
17.5%±7.9
VT: 17.9%
15.8%±5.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
23.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Franklin and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.2%±8.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
22.2%±5.2
VT: 21.4%
15.3%±1.4Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Windham and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
19.5%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
21.7%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
0.8%±1.1Lowest
VT: 7%
2.6%±2.1
VT: 7%
7.5%±3.1Highest
VT: 7%
Franklin and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$94,500±$12kHighest
16% above VT
$81,017±$14k
about the VT average
$79,917±$21kLowest
about the VT average
Windham and Highgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$353,900±$20kHighest
12% above VT
$280,500±$21k
11% below VT
$247,400±$66kLowest
22% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$895±$691Highest
27% below VT
$891±$266Lowest
28% below VT
Highgate and Franklin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,951Highest
18% above VT
$3,558
29% below VT
$3,384Lowest
33% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.2%±94
VT: 48.4%
30.5%±11.3Lowest
VT: 48.4%
45.5%±42.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
Franklin and Windham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
82.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
80.7%
VT: 73.2%
74.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1982
6 yrs newer than VT
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
1983Highest
7 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
14% above VT
31 minHighest
32% above VT
25 minLowest
8% above VT
Work from home
20.5%±5.6Highest
VT: 16.9%
14.9%±7.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
18.1%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
Windham and Franklin 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 Missisquoi Valley School District #89
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.