Compare towns
Jefferson vs Reading vs Unity
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Unity has the most affordable homes ($276k 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 | Reading | Unity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 1,013 |
699Lowest |
1,375Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -5.8% U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-9.2%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
51.1±7.6Lowest 31% above U.S. |
58±4.5Highest 49% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 12.5%±2.6 U.S.: 22% |
18.5%±4.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
12%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Reading and Jefferson 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% |
28.2%±3.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
34.9%±7Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Unity 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% U.S.: 35.7% |
46%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
21.6%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.2%±1.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.1%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
1%±0.7Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Reading 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. |
$85,000±$19k 5% above U.S. |
$87,500±$16kHighest 8% above U.S. |
| Unity and Reading 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. |
$377,200±$72kHighest 13% above U.S. |
$276,100±$29kLowest 17% below U.S. |
| Reading 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. |
$1,100±$331 22% below U.S. |
$1,625±$804Highest 15% above U.S. |
| Unity and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,196Lowest 35% above U.S. |
$5,754Highest 84% above U.S. |
$5,394 73% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 16.7%±71.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
63.3%±31.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
| Reading and Unity 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% |
8.4% U.S.: 12.5% |
6.3%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 90.5% U.S.: 65.2% |
84.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S. |
1969Lowest 11 yrs older than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 35 min 31% above U.S. |
33 minLowest 25% above U.S. |
35 minHighest 32% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 17.5%±6.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
22.9%±10.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
9.5%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
| Reading and Jefferson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Mountain Views Unified Union School District #76 | Unity School District |
| High school in town | — | None 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.