Compare towns
Jamaica vs Plainfield vs Worcester
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).
Plainfield has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.6%).
Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k 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 | Jamaica | Plainfield | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 882 |
1,314Highest |
831Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.9% VT: +2.8% |
-0.6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 55.1±5.5Highest 28% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
| Jamaica and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 13.7%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Plainfield and Jamaica 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% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
| Jamaica and Plainfield 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% |
48.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.9%±3.6 VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $79,219±$19kHighest about the VT average |
$69,250±$31kLowest 15% below VT |
$73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
| Jamaica and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $347,800±$50kHighest 10% above VT |
$318,400±$34k about the VT average |
$271,100±$27kLowest 14% below VT |
| Jamaica and Plainfield 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 |
$1,153±$103Highest 7% below VT |
$1,023±$136 17% below VT |
| Plainfield and Worcester 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 |
$4,806Highest 5% below VT |
$4,421Lowest 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 7.1%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Worcester 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% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
5.9% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 96.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
85.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976Highest same as VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1976Highest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 4% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
29 minHighest 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.2%±12.2 VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Worcester 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 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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.