Compare towns
Jay vs Mapleton vs West Fairlee
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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Mapleton has the most kids (22.2% under 18).
West Fairlee has the most expensive homes ($237k 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 | Jay | Mapleton | West Fairlee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
1,884Highest |
711 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 34% above U.S. |
41.8±6Lowest 7% above U.S. |
50.3±7.6 29% above U.S. |
| Jay and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 U.S.: 22% |
22.2%±5.1Highest U.S.: 22% |
13.5%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Mapleton 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 U.S.: 17.2% |
18.3%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.7%±6.7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
34.3%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
44.6% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±2.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Mapleton and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$91,731±$25kHighest 14% above U.S. |
$76,500±$16k 5% below U.S. |
| Mapleton and West Fairlee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45k 30% below U.S. |
$191,800±$23kLowest 42% below U.S. |
$237,200±$35kHighest 29% below U.S. |
| West Fairlee and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $610±$277Lowest 57% below U.S. |
$1,113±$171Highest 21% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 15% above U.S. |
$1,789Lowest 43% below U.S. |
$5,210Highest 67% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
16.7%±10.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
50%±89.6Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| West Fairlee and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
8.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
7.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
79.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.9% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977Lowest 3 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
28 minLowest 5% above U.S. |
28 min 7% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
10.8%±3.8 U.S.: 15.1% |
5.5%±5.1Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Mapleton 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 | RSU 79/MSAD 01 | Rivendell Interstate School District |
| 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 |
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.