Compare towns
Washington vs Jay vs Wheelock vs Wells
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 oldest population (median age 52.9).
Jay has the most people working from home (27.3%).
Wheelock has the most kids (18.8% under 18).
Wells has the most expensive homes ($243k 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.
| Measure | Washington | Jay | Wheelock | Wells |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,056 |
471Lowest |
717 |
1,148Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.7% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 52.9±5.1Highest 23% above VT |
52.1±10.5 21% above VT |
51±5.6 18% above VT |
50.7±5.2Lowest 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% |
15.1%±4.2 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% |
24.5%±2.2 VT: 21.4% |
| Wheelock and Wells are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 31% VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Highest VT: 43.8% |
34.9% VT: 43.8% |
29.7%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.7%±2 VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±2.3 VT: 7% |
3%±2.1Highest VT: 7% |
| Wells and Wheelock 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±$25k 8% below VT |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
$75,417±$11kHighest 7% below VT |
| Wells and Jay 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±$45k 26% below VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
$243,000±$42kHighest 23% below VT |
| Wells and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $996±$285Lowest 19% below VT |
— | — | $1,313±$282Highest 6% above VT |
| Wells and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,485 31% below VT |
$3,588Highest 29% below VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
$3,308 34% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.5%±63.6 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
62.5%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Wells and Jay 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% VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
15.5%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.4% VT: 73.2% |
97% VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
93.4%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1989 13 yrs newer than VT |
1977Lowest 1 yr newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 31 min 31% above VT |
40 min 69% above VT |
28 minLowest 17% above VT |
48 minHighest 102% above VT |
| Work from home | 14.9%±5.7 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
21.1%±16 VT: 16.9% |
11.3%±6.2Lowest 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 | — | Wells Spring Unified Union School District #69 |
| 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.