Compare towns
Jay vs Sandgate vs Solon
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 the most expensive homes ($234k median).
Sandgate has the shortest commute (27 min average).
Solon has the most kids (17.2% 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 | Sandgate | Solon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471 |
435Lowest |
963Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
— | -7.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5 34% above U.S. |
55.7±5.4Highest 43% above U.S. |
45.9±5.4Lowest 18% above U.S. |
| Sandgate and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 U.S.: 22% |
13.1%±7.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
17.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
| Solon 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% |
26%±11.3Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
23.9%±3.6 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Sandgate and Solon 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% |
37.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
25%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.3%±2.4Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1.3%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Sandgate and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25kHighest 7% below U.S. |
$69,167±$19kLowest 14% below U.S. |
$69,205±$20k 14% below U.S. |
| Jay and Solon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$45kHighest 30% below U.S. |
$193,800±$31k 42% below U.S. |
$183,600±$12kLowest 45% below U.S. |
| Jay and Sandgate are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $915±$100 35% below U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Highest 15% above U.S. |
$2,778 11% below U.S. |
$1,854Lowest 41% below U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
14.6%±48.8 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Jay and Solon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 8.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.7% U.S.: 12.5% |
10.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
88.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1959Lowest 21 yrs older than U.S. |
1978 2 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 min 50% above U.S. |
27 minLowest 3% above U.S. |
52 minHighest 98% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
34.6%±32.4Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.1%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Sandgate and Jay 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 74/MSAD 74 |
| High school 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.