Compare towns

Hampton vs Sheldon vs Jay

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hampton has the most affordable homes ($167k median).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).

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.

MeasureHamptonSheldonJay
People
Population
1,145
2,267Highest
471Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-8.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
43.1±14.7
11% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
52.1±10.5Highest
34% above U.S.
Jay and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
15.9%±6.9
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
20.6%±3.3Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±6.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Hampton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
15.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
3.2%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Hampton and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,796±$8kLowest
9% below U.S.
$78,533±$25kHighest
about the U.S. average
$74,792±$25k
7% below U.S.
Sheldon and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$166,800±$10kLowest
50% below U.S.
$272,400±$61kHighest
18% below U.S.
$234,200±$45k
30% below U.S.
Sheldon and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,264±$375Lowest
11% below U.S.
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
—
Sheldon and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,007Lowest
4% below U.S.
$3,578
15% above U.S.
$3,588Highest
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
13.2%±25.1
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Jay and Hampton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
78.4%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1987
7 yrs newer than U.S.
1984Lowest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
2001Highest
21 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
27 min
about the U.S. average
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
40 minHighest
50% above U.S.
Work from home
7.8%±8.4Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7
U.S.: 15.1%
27.3%±13.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jay and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 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

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.