Compare towns

Washington 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

Washington has the most renters (5.6% rent).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Wheelock has the most kids (18.8% 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.

MeasureWashingtonJayWheelock
People
Population
1,056Highest
471Lowest
717
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-6.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
52.1±10.5
21% above VT
51±5.6Lowest
18% above VT
Washington and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
16.5%±4.2
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
18.8%±3.5Highest
VT: 17.9%
Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±4.6
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.4%±4.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
31%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
34.9%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
2.8%±2.3Highest
VT: 7%
Wheelock and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$66,103±$8k
19% below VT
$74,792±$25kHighest
8% below VT
$64,792±$20kLowest
20% below VT
Jay and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$217,700±$37k
31% below VT
$234,200±$45kHighest
26% below VT
$189,600±$37kLowest
40% below VT
Jay and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$996±$285
19% below VT
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485
31% below VT
$3,588Highest
29% below VT
$2,937Lowest
42% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6
VT: 48.4%
40%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
0%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Jay and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
3.2%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97%
VT: 73.2%
97.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1989
13 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
31% above VT
40 minHighest
69% above VT
28 minLowest
17% above VT
Work from home
14.9%±5.7Lowest
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 Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District —
High school in town None 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.