Compare towns
Jackson vs Jay vs Salem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jackson has the oldest population (median age 56.9).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Salem has the most affordable homes ($196k 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 | Jackson | Jay | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,695 |
471Lowest |
2,611Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 56.9±3.6Highest 46% above U.S. |
52.1±10.5 34% above U.S. |
47.5±4.2Lowest 22% above U.S. |
| Jackson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
14.2%±7.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Salem and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.4%±5.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
22.9%±5.4 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jackson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 32.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
31.9%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.8%±1.2Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±1.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Salem and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $77,375±$8k 4% below U.S. |
$74,792±$25kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$83,398±$12kHighest 3% above U.S. |
| Salem and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,400±$40kHighest 29% below U.S. |
$234,200±$45k 30% below U.S. |
$196,000±$26kLowest 41% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,139±$43Highest 19% below U.S. |
— | $948±$40Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,165Highest 34% above U.S. |
$3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$3,908 25% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 77.8%±44.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±7.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Jackson and Salem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 7.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
17.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 min 30% above U.S. |
40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
29 minLowest 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.8%±12.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Salem 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 | — | — | #376 of 484 in NY |
| School district | — | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| High school in town | — | None in town | SALEM HIGH SCHOOL |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 8.5 |
| 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.