Compare towns
Brighton vs Jay vs Barton vs Bellows Falls
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Barton has the most affordable homes ($147k median).
Bellows Falls has the shortest commute (20 min average).
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 | Brighton | Jay | Barton | Bellows Falls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,167 |
471Lowest |
730 |
2,891Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.3% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
-12.7%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.2±11.6 5% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
40±5.5Lowest 7% below VT |
41.3±6.7 4% below VT |
| Jay and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.3%±5.7 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
24.1%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
22.6%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Barton and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 27.2%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
21.2%±4.2 VT: 21.4% |
23.7%±5.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Brighton and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 25.9% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
21.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
27.5% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±2.4 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
1.9%±1.6Lowest VT: 7% |
8.2%±4.3Highest VT: 7% |
| Bellows Falls and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $47,375±$21k 42% below VT |
$74,792±$25kHighest 8% below VT |
$40,833±$8kLowest 50% below VT |
$56,086±$2k 31% below VT |
| Jay and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $163,900±$39k 48% below VT |
$234,200±$45kHighest 26% below VT |
$146,900±$30kLowest 54% below VT |
$195,600±$35k 38% below VT |
| Jay and Bellows Falls are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $775±$33 37% below VT |
— | $761±$150Lowest 38% below VT |
$1,038±$109Highest 16% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,360 33% below VT |
$3,588 29% below VT |
$3,185Lowest 37% below VT |
$4,448Highest 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 55%±17 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
58.8%±18.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
43.9%±16.8 VT: 48.4% |
| Barton and Brighton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 22% VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
25.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
25.1% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 51.1% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
52.7% VT: 73.2% |
50.7%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1967 9 yrs older than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1945 31 yrs older than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 41% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
20 minLowest 14% below VT |
| Work from home | 12.4%±8.1 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.5%±10.4 VT: 16.9% |
6.9%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Barton 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 | — | — | #38 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Brighton School District | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | — | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.