Compare towns

Plainfield vs Jay vs Wheelock

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Plainfield has the most expensive homes ($318k median).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k 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.

MeasurePlainfieldJayWheelock
People
Population
1,314Highest
471Lowest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.6%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
48.1±5.5Lowest
12% above VT
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
51±5.6
18% above VT
Jay and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.3%±4.7
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.1%±3.5
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
48.2%Highest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%
VT: 43.8%
34.9%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.3
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
Wheelock and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,250±$31k
15% below VT
$74,792±$25kHighest
8% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Jay and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$318,400±$34kHighest
about the VT average
$234,200±$45k
26% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,153±$103
7% below VT
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,806Highest
5% below VT
$3,588
29% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
73.2%±53.9Highest
VT: 48.4%
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Plainfield and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.6%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
80.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1955Lowest
21 yrs older than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
24 minLowest
about the VT average
40 minHighest
69% above VT
28 min
17% above VT
Work from home
16.4%±4.4Lowest
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
21.1%±16
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Wheelock are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History None yet None yet None yet

VT 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.