Compare towns
Calais vs Jay vs Underhill vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Calais has the oldest housing (typical home built 1976).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Underhill has the most kids (27.8% under 18).
Middlesex has the shortest commute (27 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 | Calais | Jay | Underhill | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,713 |
471Lowest |
3,141Highest |
1,943 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.4% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 42±8.6 about the VT average |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
38.1±11.4Lowest 12% below VT |
44.4±3.9 3% above VT |
| Jay and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.5%±5.4 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
27.8%±10.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1 VT: 17.9% |
| Underhill and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.6%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
17.6%±6 VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
50.1% VT: 43.8% |
54.7% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.5%±2 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $100,625±$27k 24% above VT |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$92,267±$54k 14% above VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Middlesex and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $390,300±$36k 23% above VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$446,000±$24kHighest 41% above VT |
$376,300±$40k 19% above VT |
| Underhill and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
— | — | $1,333±$359Lowest 8% above VT |
| Calais and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $6,586 31% above VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$6,697Highest 33% above VT |
$6,483 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±18.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Calais and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
6.4% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 92.4% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
79.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest same as VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 32% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
33 min 39% above VT |
27 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.4%±7.1 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
19.4%±11.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex 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 | — | — | #2 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None in town | None 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.