Compare towns

Jackson vs Meredith vs Sheldon

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).
Meredith has the highest household income ($86k).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).

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.

MeasureJacksonMeredithSheldon
People
Population
1,695
1,467Lowest
2,267Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.3%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.9%
U.S.: +7.4%
-2.5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
56.9±3.6Highest
46% above U.S.
54.3±4.6
40% above U.S.
40.9±3.5Lowest
5% above U.S.
Jackson and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
17%±4.3
U.S.: 22%
23.7%±3.6Highest
U.S.: 22%
Sheldon and Meredith 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%
30.8%±4
U.S.: 17.2%
12.6%±2.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jackson and Meredith 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%
33.8%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
14.7%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
1.4%±0.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Sheldon and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,375±$8kLowest
4% below U.S.
$85,938±$16kHighest
6% above U.S.
$78,533±$25k
about the U.S. average
Meredith and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$235,400±$40k
29% below U.S.
$230,600±$24kLowest
31% below U.S.
$272,400±$61kHighest
18% below U.S.
Sheldon and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,139±$43
19% below U.S.
$794±$175Lowest
44% below U.S.
$1,286±$379Highest
9% below U.S.
Sheldon and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,165Highest
34% above U.S.
$3,630
16% above U.S.
$3,578Lowest
15% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
77.8%±44.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
53.1%±53.6
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±27Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Jackson and Meredith are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.5%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
7.4%
U.S.: 12.5%
5.1%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.9%
U.S.: 65.2%
92.2%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
89%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
1976
4 yrs older than U.S.
1984Highest
4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
33 min
23% above U.S.
25 minLowest
5% below U.S.
Work from home
11.1%±3
U.S.: 15.1%
10.1%±4.3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
13%±3.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Sheldon and Jackson 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
High school 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.