Compare towns
Jay vs Sutton vs Waterville 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%).
Sutton has the youngest population (median age 46.6).
Waterville has the most kids (20.4% under 18).
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.
| Measure | Jay | Sutton | Waterville | Wheelock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 471Lowest |
790Highest |
680 |
717 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-11.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+1.9% VT: +2.8% |
-6.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
46.6±5.7Lowest 8% above VT |
49.1±8.2 14% above VT |
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% |
17.3%±3.4 VT: 17.9% |
20.4%±8.2Highest VT: 17.9% |
18.8%±3.5 VT: 17.9% |
| Waterville and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 15.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±2.7 VT: 21.4% |
14.4%±3.5Lowest VT: 21.4% |
29.4%±4.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
32.8% VT: 43.8% |
32.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
34.9% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.3%±1.8 VT: 7% |
5.3%±3.3Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
| Waterville and Wheelock 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 |
$71,250±$18k 12% below VT |
$71,250±$27k 12% below VT |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
| Jay and Sutton 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 |
$231,100±$41k 27% below VT |
$236,300±$15kHighest 25% below VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
| Waterville and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | — | $1,110±$93 10% below VT |
— |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588 29% below VT |
$3,975Highest 21% below VT |
$3,957 21% below VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
37.8%±31.1 VT: 48.4% |
44.6%±27.2Highest VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Waterville and Jay 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% |
12.4%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97% VT: 73.2% |
85% VT: 73.2% |
79.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1979 3 yrs newer than VT |
1972Lowest 4 yrs older than VT |
1989 13 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
30 min 26% above VT |
38 min 60% above VT |
28 minLowest 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
11.6%±5.3 VT: 16.9% |
8.5%±3Lowest 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 | ||||
| School district | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64 | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | — |
| 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 | 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.