Compare towns
Hyde Park vs Jay vs Westminster vs Belvidere
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Hyde Park has the shortest commute (26 min average).
Jay has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Westminster has the most expensive homes ($314k median).
Belvidere has the youngest population (median age 40.7).
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 | Hyde Park | Jay | Westminster | Belvidere |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 513Highest |
471 |
497 |
422Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | — | +5.8% VT: +2.8% |
— | — |
| Median age | 42.6±10.1 about the VT average |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
43.3±11.5 about the VT average |
40.7±6.5Lowest 6% below VT |
| Jay and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 22.6%±6.5 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
28.4%±7.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
22%±4 VT: 17.9% |
| Westminster and Hyde Park are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.4%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
19.7%±11.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
8.8%±4Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Westminster and Hyde Park are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41% VT: 43.8% |
45.1% VT: 43.8% |
45.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
35.9%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.1%±2 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5 VT: 7% |
2.2%±3.5Highest VT: 7% |
1.4%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
| Westminster and Hyde Park are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $89,946±$10kHighest 11% above VT |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$81,000±$22k about the VT average |
$81,563±$18k about the VT average |
| Hyde Park and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $221,800±$57kLowest 30% below VT |
$234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$313,600±$39kHighest about the VT average |
$239,200±$51k 24% below VT |
| Westminster and Belvidere are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,306±$285 6% above VT |
— | $749±$315Lowest 39% below VT |
$1,542±$1kHighest 25% above VT |
| Belvidere and Hyde Park are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,893 23% below VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,480Highest 11% below VT |
$3,908 22% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 42.1%±47.5 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
6.1%±43.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±53.8Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Belvidere and Hyde Park are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
2.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
5.5% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.6%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.1% VT: 73.2% |
86.1% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 12 yrs older than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1938Lowest 38 yrs older than VT |
1989 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 minLowest 11% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
38 min 60% above VT |
| Work from home | 7.9%±5.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.1%±15.9 VT: 16.9% |
9.4%±7.6 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Westminster 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 | #59 of 70 in VT | — | #53 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | — | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | — | — |
| High school 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.