Compare towns
Reading vs Jay vs Peacham vs Andover
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Reading has the oldest housing (typical home built 1969).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Peacham has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Andover has the shortest commute (25 min average).
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 | Reading | Jay | Peacham | Andover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 699 |
471Lowest |
887Highest |
616 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.3%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
— |
| Median age | 51.1±7.6 19% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
50.1±5.7 16% above VT |
49.2±5.1Lowest 14% above VT |
| Jay and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 18.5%±4.2 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
20.7%±6Highest VT: 17.9% |
11.5%±4.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 28.2%±3.3 VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
33.6%±2.6Highest VT: 21.4% |
22.7%±4.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 46% VT: 43.8% |
45.1% VT: 43.8% |
48.9%Highest VT: 43.8% |
43.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
5.4%±4Highest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.5 VT: 7% |
| Peacham and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $85,000±$19k 5% above VT |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$90,000±$28k 11% above VT |
$102,500±$38kHighest 26% above VT |
| Andover and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $377,200±$72k 19% above VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$302,000±$64k 5% below VT |
$382,900±$68kHighest 21% above VT |
| Andover and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,100±$331 11% below VT |
— | $1,028±$248Lowest 17% below VT |
$1,389±$364Highest 13% above VT |
| Andover and Reading are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,754Highest 14% above VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,605 11% above VT |
$5,190 about the VT average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 63.3%±31.7 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
66.7%±17.7 VT: 48.4% |
69.4%±47.1Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Andover and Peacham are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.4% VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
10.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
4.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
76.1%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
82.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969Lowest 7 yrs older than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1976 same as VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min 41% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
31 min 31% above VT |
25 minLowest 7% above VT |
| Work from home | 22.9%±10.6Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
24.2%±16.9 VT: 16.9% |
29.6%±12.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Andover and Jay 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 | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Peacham School District | — |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | None in town | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.