Compare towns
Jefferson vs Putnam vs Randolph
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 oldest population (median age 58).
Putnam has the shortest commute (21 min average).
Randolph has the most expensive homes ($407k 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 | Jefferson | Putnam | Randolph |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,013Highest |
540 |
420Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-6.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
— |
| Median age | 58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
53.6±6.4Lowest 38% above U.S. |
57.5±10.9 48% above U.S. |
| Jefferson and Randolph 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% |
17.4%±5.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.5%±6.5 U.S.: 22% |
| Putnam and Randolph are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 33.7%±9.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
31.7%±2.8Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Putnam and Jefferson 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% |
31.4% U.S.: 35.7% |
60.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.5%±3.7Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Randolph and Putnam 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. |
$92,344±$14k 14% above U.S. |
$101,750±$16kHighest 26% above U.S. |
| Randolph and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $296,700±$92k 11% below U.S. |
$266,200±$48kLowest 20% below U.S. |
$407,000±$57kHighest 22% above U.S. |
| Randolph 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. |
— | $1,667±$215Highest 18% above U.S. |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196 35% above U.S. |
$3,674Lowest 18% above U.S. |
$4,269Highest 37% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
50%±53.1Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Randolph and Jefferson 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% |
7.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
83.3%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1971 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 minHighest 31% above U.S. |
21 minLowest 19% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
8.6%±5.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
19.5%±5.3Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Randolph and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | — |
| High school in town | — | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 20 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.