Compare towns
Jay vs Ripton vs Jamaica
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Ripton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+25.7%).
Jamaica has the shortest commute (23 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 | Ripton | Jamaica |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
508 |
882Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+25.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.9%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5 21% above VT |
47.7±14.2Lowest 11% above VT |
55.1±5.5Highest 28% above VT |
| Jamaica and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.8%±6.3Lowest VT: 17.9% |
13.7%±6.4 VT: 17.9% |
| Jay and Jamaica 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% |
30.5%±7.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
30%±8.6 VT: 21.4% |
| Ripton and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48% VT: 43.8% |
48.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
20.1%±6.3Highest VT: 7% |
3.9%±3.6 VT: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$112,917±$15kHighest 39% above VT |
$79,219±$19k about the VT average |
| Ripton and Jamaica 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 |
$394,400±$61kHighest 25% above VT |
$347,800±$50k 10% above VT |
| Ripton and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $870±$464 29% below VT |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,915Highest about the VT average |
$4,773 5% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
52.9%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
7.1%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Ripton 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% |
8.6% VT: 10.1% |
4.5%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
90.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
96.9% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1973Lowest 3 yrs older than VT |
1976 same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
24 min about the VT average |
23 minLowest 4% below VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
17.2%±8.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
23.2%±12.2 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Jamaica 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 | Addison Central Unified Union School District #55 | West River Valley Union Education District #72A |
| 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.