Compare towns
Jay vs Arlington vs Castleton vs Troy
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has the oldest population (median age 52.1).
Arlington has the most expensive homes ($319k median).
Castleton has the most renters (21% rent).
Troy has the most kids (21.4% under 18).
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 | Jay | Arlington | Castleton | Troy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 471Lowest |
2,598 |
4,453Highest |
1,749 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+6%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-5.5%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
37.6±4Lowest 13% below VT |
38.3±4.3 11% below VT |
44.5±5.7 3% above VT |
| Jay and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
20.6%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
21.4%±3.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Troy and Arlington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±3.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.7%±4.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
17.7%±3 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
55.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
37.9% VT: 43.8% |
20.2%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.3%±1.7 VT: 7% |
19.3%±1.8Highest VT: 7% |
2.7%±1.4 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$102,308±$11kHighest 26% above VT |
$73,854±$23kLowest 9% below VT |
$87,938±$11k 8% above VT |
| Arlington and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45k 26% below VT |
$318,500±$59kHighest about the VT average |
$224,800±$71kLowest 29% below VT |
$233,200±$21k 26% below VT |
| Arlington and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,191±$172Highest 3% below VT |
$1,137±$195 8% below VT |
$646±$323Lowest 48% below VT |
| Arlington and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 29% below VT |
$4,549Highest 10% below VT |
$3,167Lowest 37% below VT |
$3,644 28% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
77.1%±9.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
67.7%±21.9 VT: 48.4% |
30.8%±26.3Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Arlington and Castleton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% VT: 10.1% |
7.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
12.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84% VT: 73.2% |
79%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
86.6% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1966Lowest 10 yrs older than VT |
1974 2 yrs older than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
20 min 13% below VT |
19 minLowest 17% below VT |
24 min about the VT average |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
35.9%±10.8Highest VT: 16.9% |
6.2%±3.9Lowest VT: 16.9% |
7.8%±2.3 VT: 16.9% |
| Arlington and Jay 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 | — | #50 of 70 in VT | #39 of 70 in VT | — |
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Arlington School District | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 | Troy School District |
| High school in town | None in town | Arlington Memorial | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 10.6 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.