Compare towns
Troy vs Jackson vs Sheldon vs Orwell
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Troy has the most affordable homes ($233k median).
Jackson has grown the fastest since 2010 (+26%).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% 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.
| Measure | Troy | Jackson | Sheldon | Orwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,749 |
897Lowest |
2,267Highest |
1,294 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.6% U.S.: +7.4% |
+26%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.5%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 44.5±5.7 14% above U.S. |
60.5±2.5Highest 56% above U.S. |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% above U.S. |
47.5±7 22% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 21.4%±3.9 U.S.: 22% |
4.1%±4.1Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.7%±3.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
21.8%±5.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Sheldon and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 17.7%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
28.4%±6.4Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24%±3.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Jackson and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 20.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
67.7%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
14.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
22.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±1.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
3%±3.4 U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±1.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Orwell and Jackson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $87,938±$11k 9% above U.S. |
$117,986±$46kHighest 46% above U.S. |
$78,533±$25k about the U.S. average |
$70,417±$22kLowest 13% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $233,200±$21kLowest 30% below U.S. |
$719,300±$109kHighest 116% above U.S. |
$272,400±$61k 18% below U.S. |
$335,600±$25k about the U.S. average |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $646±$323Lowest 54% below U.S. |
$1,750±$1kHighest 24% above U.S. |
$1,286±$379 9% below U.S. |
$1,105±$51 22% below U.S. |
| Jackson and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,644 17% above U.S. |
$6,001Highest 92% above U.S. |
$3,578Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$3,914 25% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 30.8%±26.3 U.S.: 51.1% |
21.1%±59.9 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
62.1%±35.9Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Orwell and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
16.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.8% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 86.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
91.4%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
89% U.S.: 65.2% |
87.3% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980Lowest same as U.S. |
1980Lowest same as U.S. |
1984Highest 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1982 2 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 9% below U.S. |
19 minLowest 30% below U.S. |
25 min 5% below U.S. |
27 minHighest about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 7.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
22.2%±10.2Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
13.3%±7.2 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jackson and Orwell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | Troy School District | Jackson School District | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | Slate Valley Unified Union School District #62 |
| High school in town | None 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 |
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.