Compare towns

Jackson vs Morgan 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).
Morgan has the most kids (21.5% under 18).
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.

MeasureJacksonMorganSalem
People
Population
1,695
827Lowest
2,611Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-4.3%
U.S.: +7.4%
-14.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
56.9±3.6Highest
46% above U.S.
40.9±6.4Lowest
5% above U.S.
47.5±4.2
22% above U.S.
Kids under 18
14.6%±3.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.5%±4.7Highest
U.S.: 22%
16.2%±3.9
U.S.: 22%
Morgan 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%
27.7%±6.6
U.S.: 17.2%
22.9%±5.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jackson and Morgan 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%
34%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
31.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±1.2
U.S.: 6.4%
1.3%±1Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2%±1.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Salem 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.
$91,250±$25kHighest
13% above U.S.
$83,398±$12k
3% above U.S.
Morgan and Salem 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.
$311,300±$66kHighest
6% below U.S.
$196,000±$26kLowest
41% below U.S.
Morgan and Jackson 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.
$1,112±$64
21% below U.S.
$948±$40Lowest
33% below U.S.
Jackson and Morgan 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.
$3,426Lowest
10% above U.S.
$3,908
25% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
77.8%±44.7Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±40.8Lowest
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%
10%
U.S.: 12.5%
17.6%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
91.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
84.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
77.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971
9 yrs older than U.S.
1973Highest
7 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
30% above U.S.
27 minLowest
about the U.S. average
29 min
11% above U.S.
Work from home
11.1%±3Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
22.4%±6.5
U.S.: 15.1%
22.8%±12.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Salem and Morgan 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 — — SALEM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school 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.