Compare towns
Andover vs Jay vs Orange vs Chester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Andover has the most expensive homes ($383k median).
Jay has the most homeowners (97%).
Orange has the most kids (15.6% under 18).
Chester has the oldest housing (typical home built 1972).
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 | Andover | Jay | Orange | Chester |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 616 |
471Lowest |
957 |
2,992Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2% VT: +2.8% |
-4.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 49.2±5.1Lowest 14% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
50.3±5.3 17% above VT |
49.7±4.7 15% above VT |
| Jay and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 11.5%±4.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
15.6%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
14.1%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Orange and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.7%±4.3 VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
19.4%±4 VT: 21.4% |
29.8%±7.9Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 43.3% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
22.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
33.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±1.5 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.4%±1.9 VT: 7% |
5.1%±4Highest VT: 7% |
| Chester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $102,500±$38kHighest 26% above VT |
$74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$71,302±$13k 12% below VT |
$62,125±$8kLowest 23% below VT |
| Andover and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $382,900±$68kHighest 21% above VT |
$234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$222,000±$22kLowest 30% below VT |
$232,900±$44k 26% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,389±$364Highest 13% above VT |
— | $1,330±$153 8% above VT |
$960±$44Lowest 22% below VT |
| Andover and Orange are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,190Highest about the VT average |
$3,588 29% below VT |
$3,545Lowest 30% below VT |
$4,262 15% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 69.4%±47.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±87Lowest VT: 48.4% |
11.5%±12.3 VT: 48.4% |
| Andover and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 4.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.6% VT: 10.1% |
7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
87.8% VT: 73.2% |
86.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 7% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
28 min 19% above VT |
28 min 18% above VT |
| Work from home | 29.6%±12.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
13.5%±4.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
14%±6.9 VT: 16.9% |
| Andover and Jay 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 | — | — | — | #49 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 | Green Mountain Unified School District #77 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town | Green Mountain Union High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 8.7 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | 6 photos → |
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.