Compare towns
Bolton vs Jay vs Arlington
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Bolton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+10.1%).
Jay has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Arlington has the most kids (20.6% 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 | Bolton | Jay | Arlington |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,163 |
471Lowest |
2,598Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +10.1%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 36.3±1.7Lowest 16% below VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
37.6±4 13% below VT |
| Jay and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.9%±4 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.6%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Arlington and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 6.7%±2.6Lowest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±3.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Arlington and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 58.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
55.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.8 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.3%±1.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Arlington and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $111,125±$17kHighest 37% above VT |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$102,308±$11k 26% above VT |
| Bolton and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $311,600±$42k about the VT average |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$318,500±$59kHighest about the VT average |
| Arlington and Bolton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,299±$273Highest 5% above VT |
— | $1,191±$172Lowest 3% below VT |
| Bolton and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,826Highest 4% below VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,549 10% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 28%±30.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
77.1%±9.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Arlington and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 81.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1966Lowest 10 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 17% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
20 minLowest 13% below VT |
| Work from home | 22.9%±8.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
35.9%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Arlington 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 | — | — | #50 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Arlington School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Arlington Memorial |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 10.6 |
| 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.