Compare towns
Jay vs Lincoln vs Worcester
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Lincoln has the most expensive homes ($365k median).
Worcester has the shortest commute (29 min average).
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 | Lincoln | Worcester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
1,394Highest |
831 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+4.1% VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
45.7±3.6Lowest 6% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
| Jay and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
15.1%±3.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Lincoln and Jay 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% |
22.3%±3Highest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Lincoln and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1% VT: 43.8% |
43.5%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.9%±2.1 VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$96,667±$18kHighest 19% above VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
| Lincoln and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$365,200±$30kHighest 15% above VT |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $870±$47Lowest 29% below VT |
$1,023±$136Highest 17% below VT |
| Worcester and Lincoln are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$6,100Highest 21% above VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
49.1%±25.5Highest VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Lincoln and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Highest VT: 10.1% |
7.5% VT: 10.1% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
88.1% VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1977 1 yr newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
29 minLowest 22% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
18.8%±5.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Lincoln Town School District | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| High school in town | None 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.