What stands out worked out from the figures below

Jefferson has the most affordable homes ($297k median).

Newcastle has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Jefferson	Newcastle
People
Population	1,013Lowest	1,913Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%	+5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S.	49.4±7Lowest 27% above U.S.
	Jefferson and Newcastle 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%	17.8%±3.4Highest U.S.: 22%
	Newcastle and Jefferson 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%	24.4%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	Jefferson and Newcastle are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	4.2%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Newcastle and Jefferson 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.	$89,868±$33kHighest 11% above U.S.
	Newcastle and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$296,700±$92kLowest 11% below U.S.	$398,000±$41kHighest 20% above U.S.
	Newcastle and Jefferson 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.	$1,363±$81Highest 4% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S.	$4,256Highest 36% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	16.7%±71.2Highest U.S.: 51.1%	5.8%±16.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Jefferson and Newcastle 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%	3.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%	80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.	1984Lowest 4 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	35 minHighest 31% above U.S.	17 minLowest 34% below U.S.
Work from home	17.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	20.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Newcastle and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.