What stands out worked out from the figures below

Heath has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.4%).

Jefferson has the oldest population (median age 58).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Heath	Jefferson
People
Population	765Lowest	1,013Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+2.4%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	53.8±11.9Lowest 38% above U.S.	58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S.
	Jefferson and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	13.1%±2.8Highest U.S.: 22%	12.5%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 22%
	Heath and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	33.6%±8.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	33.7%±9.1Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Jefferson and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	46.8%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.3%±2.8Highest U.S.: 6.4%	2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4%
	Heath and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$98,750±$23kHighest 22% above U.S.	$67,188±$13kLowest 17% below U.S.
	Heath and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$295,000±$45kLowest 11% below U.S.	$296,700±$92kHighest 11% below U.S.
	Jefferson and Heath are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	—	$867±$156 39% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,438Highest 42% above U.S.	$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	40%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1%	16.7%±71.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Heath and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	6.6%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%	8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	88.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1981Lowest 1 yr newer than U.S.	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	35 minHighest 32% above U.S.	35 minLowest 31% above U.S.
Work from home	31.7%±17.1Highest U.S.: 15.1%	17.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Heath and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.