Compare towns

Jefferson vs Jay vs Goshen

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Jefferson has the most expensive homes ($297k median).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Goshen has the most kids (26.8% 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.

MeasureJeffersonJayGoshen
People
Population
1,013
471Lowest
1,042Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-5.8%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.7%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
58±3.5Highest
49% above U.S.
52.1±10.5Lowest
34% above U.S.
54.1±16.1
39% above U.S.
Jefferson and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.5%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 22%
14.2%±7.3
U.S.: 22%
26.8%±5.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
Goshen and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
33.7%±9.1Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
27.5%±8
U.S.: 17.2%
Jefferson and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
28.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
45.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
22.6%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.2%±1.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.5
U.S.: 6.4%
0.9%±0.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
Jefferson and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$67,188±$13kLowest
17% below U.S.
$74,792±$25kHighest
7% below U.S.
$70,417±$26k
13% below U.S.
Jay and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$296,700±$92kHighest
11% below U.S.
$234,200±$45kLowest
30% below U.S.
$255,600±$53k
23% below U.S.
Jefferson and Goshen are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$867±$156Lowest
39% below U.S.
—
$1,938±$416Highest
37% above U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,196
35% above U.S.
$3,588Lowest
15% above U.S.
$4,760Highest
53% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
16.7%±71.2Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
46.2%±74.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Goshen 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
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
5.5%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
90.5%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
91.4%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1988
8 yrs newer than U.S.
2001Highest
21 yrs newer than U.S.
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
35 min
31% above U.S.
40 minHighest
50% above U.S.
23 minLowest
13% below U.S.
Work from home
17.5%±6.3
U.S.: 15.1%
27.3%±13.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
6.8%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Jay and Jefferson 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 —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 14 photos → 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.