Compare towns

Jay vs Springfield vs Wheelock

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%).
Springfield has the most renters (32.3% rent).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).

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.

MeasureJaySpringfieldWheelock
People
Population
471Lowest
9,084Highest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-3.3%
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
43.2±3.7Lowest
about the VT average
51±5.6
18% above VT
Jay and Wheelock 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%
18.6%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Springfield 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%
23.6%±3.7
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Springfield 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
VT: 43.8%
23.3%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.4
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
Wheelock and Springfield 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
8% below VT
$66,571±$13k
18% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Jay and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$234,200±$45kHighest
26% below VT
$192,400±$20k
39% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Jay and Springfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly —
$963±$100
22% below VT
—
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,588
29% below VT
$4,807Highest
5% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
49.6%±15.6Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Springfield and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
14.8%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
97%
VT: 73.2%
67.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1958Lowest
18 yrs older than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
40 minHighest
69% above VT
27 minLowest
16% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
15.1%±5.5Lowest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Wheelock 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 — #64 of 70 in VT —
School district Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District River Valley Technical Center · Springfield School District —
High school in town None in town Springfield High School —
Students per teacherat that high school —
14.3
—
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.