What stands out worked out from the figures below

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

Jefferson has the most affordable homes ($297k 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.

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

Measure	Newcastle	Jefferson
People
Population	1,913Highest	1,013Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-5.8%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	49.4±7Lowest 27% above U.S.	58±3.5Highest 49% 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	17.8%±3.4Highest U.S.: 22%	12.5%±2.6Lowest 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+	24.4%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	33.7%±9.1Highest 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+	45.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	28.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4.2%±2Highest U.S.: 6.4%	2.2%±1.5Lowest 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	$89,868±$33kHighest 11% above U.S.	$67,188±$13kLowest 17% below 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	$398,000±$41kHighest 20% above U.S.	$296,700±$92kLowest 11% below 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	$1,363±$81Highest 4% below U.S.	$867±$156Lowest 39% below U.S.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,256Highest 36% above U.S.	$4,196Lowest 35% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	5.8%±16.2Lowest U.S.: 51.1%	16.7%±71.2Highest 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	3.5%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%	8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	80.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	90.5%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1984Lowest 4 yrs newer than U.S.	1988Highest 8 yrs newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	17 minLowest 34% below U.S.	35 minHighest 31% above U.S.
Work from home	20.2%±4.6Highest U.S.: 15.1%	17.5%±6.3Lowest 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.