Compare towns
Jay vs Worcester vs Calais
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%).
Worcester has the shortest commute (29 min average).
Calais has the most kids (22.5% 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 | Worcester | Calais |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 471Lowest |
831 |
1,713Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+3.4% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
47±2.7 9% above VT |
42±8.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Jay and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
12.8%±3.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
22.5%±5.4Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Calais 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 VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
21.6%±5.2Highest VT: 21.4% |
| Calais and Worcester 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% |
53% VT: 43.8% |
55.4%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
6.9%±4.7 VT: 7% |
7.4%±3.4Highest VT: 7% |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$73,833±$18kLowest 9% below VT |
$100,625±$27kHighest 24% above VT |
| Calais and Jay 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 |
$271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$390,300±$36kHighest 23% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,408±$392Highest 14% above VT |
| Calais and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$4,421 12% below VT |
$6,586Highest 31% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
49%±38.3Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Calais 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% |
5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.8%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
92.4% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
1976Lowest same as VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 40 minHighest 69% above VT |
29 minLowest 22% above VT |
31 min 32% above VT |
| Work from home | 27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
23.4%±7.1Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Worcester 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 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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.