Compare towns
Jay vs Pepperell vs Troy
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
Bordering JayRichford
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Pepperell has the most expensive homes ($482k median).
Troy has the shortest commute (24 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 | Pepperell | Troy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
11,663Highest |
1,749 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 34% above U.S. |
42.4±3.3Lowest 9% above U.S. |
44.5±5.7 14% above U.S. |
| 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 U.S.: 22% |
20.1%±3.3 U.S.: 22% |
21.4%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Troy and Pepperell 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% |
18.2%±2.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
17.7%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Pepperell and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
43.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
20.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5.7%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.7%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Pepperell and Troy 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. |
$124,073±$12kHighest 54% above U.S. |
$87,938±$11k 9% above U.S. |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45k 30% below U.S. |
$482,100±$14kHighest 45% above U.S. |
$233,200±$21kLowest 30% below U.S. |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,295±$238Highest 8% below U.S. |
$646±$323Lowest 54% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$6,698Highest 115% above U.S. |
$3,644 17% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
45.1%±16.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
30.8%±26.3Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Pepperell 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 U.S.: 12.5% |
8%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
84.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
86.6% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1981 1 yr newer than U.S. |
1980Lowest same as U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
34 min 28% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 9% below U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
18.1%±2.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
7.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and Pepperell 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 | — | #153 of 282 in MA | — |
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | North Middlesex | Troy 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.