Compare towns

Jay vs Putney vs Randolph vs Richford

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%).
Putney has the shortest commute (18 min average).
Randolph has the most renters (32.8% rent).
Richford has the most kids (21.8% 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.

MeasureJayPutneyRandolphRichford
People
Population
471Lowest
2,622
4,843Highest
2,467
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.1%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-0.1%
VT: +2.8%
+1.6%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
37.2±5.2Lowest
14% below VT
40.4±7.4
6% below VT
39±3.6
10% below VT
Jay and Randolph 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%
15.4%±4.1
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±4.4
VT: 17.9%
21.8%±4Highest
VT: 17.9%
Richford and Randolph 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%
18.1%±3.8
VT: 21.4%
22.9%±4.2
VT: 21.4%
23.4%±4.4Highest
VT: 21.4%
Richford and Randolph 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%
48.6%Highest
VT: 43.8%
40.8%
VT: 43.8%
20.8%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
20.4%±3.4Highest
VT: 7%
11.2%±2.5
VT: 7%
6.4%±3.6
VT: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$74,792±$25k
8% below VT
$79,706±$18kHighest
about the VT average
$76,758±$6k
5% below VT
$56,853±$13kLowest
30% below VT
Putney and Randolph 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
$300,000±$44kHighest
5% below VT
$278,700±$38k
12% below VT
$176,600±$16kLowest
44% below VT
Putney and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$508±$482Lowest
59% below VT
$1,172±$173Highest
5% below VT
$1,160±$66
6% below VT
Randolph and Richford 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
$5,313Highest
5% above VT
$4,698
7% below VT
$3,300Lowest
35% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
54.2%±19.4
VT: 48.4%
54.1%±17.8
VT: 48.4%
55.1%±15.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
Richford and Putney 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%
16%
VT: 10.1%
7.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
19.5%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
72.8%
VT: 73.2%
67.2%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
70.4%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1977
1 yr newer than VT
1971
5 yrs older than VT
1938Lowest
38 yrs older than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
40 minHighest
69% above VT
18 minLowest
24% below VT
21 min
12% below VT
28 min
18% above VT
Work from home
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
16.9%±6.5
VT: 16.9%
12.9%±4.7
VT: 16.9%
9.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Putney 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 — #32 of 70 in VT #55 of 70 in VT —
School district Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District Windham Southeast Unified Union School District #96 Orange Southwest Unified Union School District #59 Enosburgh-Richford Unified Union School District #88
High school in town None in town None in town Randolph Union High School Richford Junior/Senior High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.4Highest
9.1Lowest
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 6 photos → 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.