Compare towns
Danby vs Jay vs Sheldon vs Wardsboro
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Wardsboro has the most expensive homes ($299k median).
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 | Danby | Jay | Sheldon | Wardsboro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,133 |
471Lowest |
2,267Highest |
820 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.1% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.5% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.6±4.8Highest 22% above VT |
52.1±10.5 21% above VT |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% below VT |
51.6±7.3 20% above VT |
| Danby and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
23.7%±3.6Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 24.3%±2.6 VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
27.4%±3.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 34.8% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
14.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
38.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.5%±1.9Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2%±1.3 VT: 7% |
0.9%±0.9Lowest VT: 7% |
| Danby and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $77,321±$13k 5% below VT |
$74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$78,533±$25kHighest 3% below VT |
$62,000±$6kLowest 24% below VT |
| Sheldon and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $272,400±$41k 14% below VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$272,400±$61k 14% below VT |
$299,300±$47kHighest 5% below VT |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $794±$166Lowest 36% below VT |
— | $1,286±$379 4% above VT |
$1,479±$224Highest 20% above VT |
| Wardsboro and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,543Highest 10% below VT |
$3,588 29% below VT |
$3,578Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,345 14% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.4%±34.6 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±27Lowest VT: 48.4% |
54.5%±58Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Wardsboro and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
5.1%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
7.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 89.3% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
89%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
90.4% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1981 5 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1984 8 yrs newer than VT |
1978Lowest 2 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 30 min 26% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
27 min 14% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.1%±5.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
13%±3.7 VT: 16.9% |
13.3%±5.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Wardsboro are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | River Valleys Unified School District #73 |
| 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.