Compare towns
Jackson vs Middlesex 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).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
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 | Middlesex | Salem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,695Lowest |
1,943 |
2,611Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.3%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+2.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 56.9±3.6Highest 46% above U.S. |
44.4±3.9Lowest 14% above U.S. |
47.5±4.2 22% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 14.6%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
21.3%±3.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
16.2%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
| Middlesex and Salem 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% |
20.6%±3.7Lowest 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% |
54.7%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% |
5.2%±2.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Middlesex and Salem 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. |
$109,632±$13kHighest 36% above U.S. |
$83,398±$12k 3% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $235,400±$40k 29% below U.S. |
$376,300±$40kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$196,000±$26kLowest 41% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,139±$43 19% below U.S. |
$1,333±$359Highest 6% below U.S. |
$948±$40Lowest 33% below U.S. |
| Middlesex and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,165 34% above U.S. |
$6,483Highest 108% above U.S. |
$3,908Lowest 25% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 77.8%±44.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±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% U.S.: 12.5% |
3.8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
17.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 91.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
96.7%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
77.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1986Highest 6 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 34 minHighest 30% above U.S. |
27 minLowest 4% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 11.1%±3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
28.4%±10.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.8%±12.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Middlesex 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 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | 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.