Compare towns
Jay vs Reading vs Underhill
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%).
Reading has the oldest housing (typical home built 1969).
Underhill has the most kids (27.8% 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.
| Measure | Jay | Reading | Underhill |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
699 |
3,141Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+3.2%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.7% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
38.1±11.4Lowest 12% below VT |
| Jay and Reading 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% |
18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
27.8%±10.9Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Underhill and Reading 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% |
28.2%±3.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
17.6%±6 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
46% VT: 43.8% |
50.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
3.5%±2Highest VT: 7% |
| Underhill and Reading 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 8% below VT |
$85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$92,267±$54kHighest 14% above VT |
| Underhill and Reading 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 |
$377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$446,000±$24kHighest 41% above VT |
| Underhill and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,100±$331 11% below VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,754 14% above VT |
$6,697Highest 33% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
63.3%±31.7Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±18.2Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Reading 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% |
8.4% VT: 10.1% |
6.4%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
84.9% VT: 73.2% |
79.8%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
33 min 41% above VT |
33 minLowest 39% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
22.9%±10.6 VT: 16.9% |
19.4%±11.3Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Reading 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 | — | — | #2 of 70 in VT |
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| 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.