Compare towns

Jay vs Ripton vs Au Sable Forks

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Jay has the oldest population (median age 48.8).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Au Sable Forks has the most affordable homes ($131k 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.

MeasureJayRiptonAu Sable Forks
People
Population
2,354Highest
508
369Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
+25.7%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-8.9%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
48.8±4.6Highest
25% above U.S.
47.7±14.2
23% above U.S.
46.8±15Lowest
20% above U.S.
Jay and Ripton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
11.8%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
19.8%±9.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
Au Sable Forks and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
25.3%±4.8
U.S.: 17.2%
30.5%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
23%±12.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ripton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
48%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
27.2%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.7%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
20.1%±6.3Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
10%±11.9
U.S.: 6.4%
Ripton and Au Sable Forks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$72,380±$19k
10% below U.S.
$112,917±$15kHighest
40% above U.S.
$52,656±$12kLowest
35% below U.S.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,900±$22k
41% below U.S.
$394,400±$61kHighest
19% above U.S.
$130,800±$84kLowest
61% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,272±$366Highest
10% below U.S.
—
$792±$553Lowest
44% below U.S.
Jay and Au Sable Forks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,741
20% above U.S.
$4,915Highest
58% above U.S.
$1,827Lowest
41% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
27.4%±21.1Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52.9%±100Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
33.3%±62.2
U.S.: 51.1%
Ripton and Au Sable Forks are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.7%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.6%
U.S.: 12.5%
13.8%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
90.9%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
73.7%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1977Highest
3 yrs older than U.S.
1973
7 yrs older than U.S.
1967Lowest
13 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
8% above U.S.
24 minLowest
9% below U.S.
29 minHighest
8% above U.S.
Work from home
8.8%±3.2
U.S.: 15.1%
17.2%±8.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
0.6%±1.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Ripton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 —
High school in town None 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.