Compare towns
Appleton vs Jay vs Troy
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Appleton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+7.2%).
Jay has the most people working from home (27.3%).
Troy has the most kids (21.4% 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.
| Measure | Appleton | Jay | Troy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,360 |
471Lowest |
1,749Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +7.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 49.2±7.4 26% above U.S. |
52.1±10.5Highest 34% above U.S. |
44.5±5.7Lowest 14% above U.S. |
| Jay and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 15.3%±2.7 U.S.: 22% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.4%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Troy and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 26.1%±9.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Appleton and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
20.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.7%±2.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Appleton and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $53,618±$19kLowest 34% below U.S. |
$74,792±$25k 7% below U.S. |
$87,938±$11kHighest 9% above U.S. |
| Troy and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,600±$33kHighest 29% below U.S. |
$234,200±$45k 30% below U.S. |
$233,200±$21kLowest 30% below U.S. |
| Appleton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,104±$82Highest 22% below U.S. |
— | $646±$323Lowest 54% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$3,644Highest 17% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 85.4%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
30.8%±26.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Appleton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 82.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1980Lowest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 14% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Appleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Appleton Public Schools | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Troy School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.