What stands out worked out from the figures below

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

Wheelock has the most kids (18.8% 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.

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

Measure	Jefferson	Wheelock
People
Population	1,013Highest	717Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-6.4%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	58±3.5Highest 49% above U.S.	51±5.6Lowest 31% above U.S.
	Jefferson and Wheelock 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%	18.8%±3.5Highest U.S.: 22%
Age 65+	33.7%±9.1Highest U.S.: 17.2%	29.4%±4.7Lowest U.S.: 17.2%
	Jefferson and Wheelock 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%	34.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.2%±1.5Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	2.8%±2.3Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Wheelock 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±$13kHighest 17% below U.S.	$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below U.S.
	Jefferson and Wheelock 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.	$189,600±$37kLowest 43% below U.S.
	Jefferson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$867±$156 39% below U.S.	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,196Highest 35% above U.S.	$2,937Lowest 6% below U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	16.7%±71.2Highest U.S.: 51.1%	0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Jefferson and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8.7% U.S.: 12.5%	8.7% U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	90.5%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	97.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1988Lowest 8 yrs newer than U.S.	1989Highest 9 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	35 minHighest 31% above U.S.	28 minLowest 4% above U.S.
Work from home	17.5%±6.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	21.1%±16Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Wheelock 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.