Compare towns
Jamaica vs Jay vs Mendon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jamaica has the oldest population (median age 55.1).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Mendon has grown the fastest since 2010 (+8.5%).
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 | Jamaica | Jay | Mendon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 882 |
471Lowest |
1,113Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+8.5%Highest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 55.1±5.5Highest 28% above VT |
52.1±10.5Lowest 21% above VT |
53.4±10.5 24% above VT |
| Jamaica and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.7%±6.4Lowest VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
14.6%±5.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Mendon and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 30%±8.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29%±1.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Jamaica and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.7% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
49.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±3.6Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.1 VT: 7% |
| Jamaica and Mendon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,219±$19k about the VT average |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$100,524±$23kHighest 24% above VT |
| Mendon and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $347,800±$50k 10% above VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$357,000±$44kHighest 13% above VT |
| Mendon and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $870±$464Lowest 29% below VT |
— | $1,230±$651Highest about the VT average |
| Mendon and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,773 5% below VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,342Highest 6% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 7.1%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
88.6%±42.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Mendon and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 4.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.2% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.9% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
92.2%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Lowest same as VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 min 4% below VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
17 minLowest 28% below VT |
| Work from home | 23.2%±12.2 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±8.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | West River Valley Union Education District #72A | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 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.