Compare towns

Peru vs Jay vs Westminster

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Peru has the highest household income ($152k).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($197k median).
Westminster has the most kids (28.4% 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.

MeasurePeruJayWestminster
People
Population
434Lowest
2,354Highest
497
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census —
-0.8%
U.S.: +7.4%
—
Median age
45.3±8.6
16% above U.S.
48.8±4.6Highest
25% above U.S.
43.3±11.5Lowest
11% above U.S.
Jay and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
8.5%±5.9Lowest
U.S.: 22%
16%±4.1
U.S.: 22%
28.4%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Age 65+
21.4%±5
U.S.: 17.2%
25.3%±4.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.7%±11.4Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Jay and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
54.3%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
31.4%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.4%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±3.2
U.S.: 6.4%
1.7%±1.7Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.2%±3.5Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Westminster and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$151,875±$83kHighest
88% above U.S.
$72,380±$19kLowest
10% below U.S.
$81,000±$22k
about the U.S. average
Peru and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$400,000±$105kHighest
20% above U.S.
$196,900±$22kLowest
41% below U.S.
$313,600±$39k
6% below U.S.
Peru and Westminster are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,271±$820
10% below U.S.
$1,272±$366Highest
10% below U.S.
$749±$315Lowest
47% below U.S.
Jay and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,000Highest
60% above U.S.
$3,741Lowest
20% above U.S.
$4,480
44% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
29%±47.8Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
27.4%±21.1
U.S.: 51.1%
6.1%±43.8Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
Peru and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
1.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
6.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
2.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
88.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
80.1%
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1977
3 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 minLowest
6% above U.S.
28 min
8% above U.S.
30 minHighest
13% above U.S.
Work from home
13.3%±16.4
U.S.: 15.1%
8.8%±3.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
23.1%±15.9Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Westminster and Peru are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — — #53 of 70 in VT
School district — AUSABLE VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet 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.