Compare towns

Washington vs Jay vs Williamstown

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 affordable homes ($218k median).
Jay has the most people working from home (27.3%).
Williamstown has the highest household income ($94k).

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.

MeasureWashingtonJayWilliamstown
People
Population
1,056
471Lowest
3,579Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-0.7%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
+3.7%
VT: +2.8%
Median age
52.9±5.1Highest
23% above VT
52.1±10.5
21% above VT
42±5Lowest
about the VT average
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%
19.9%±5.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
Williamstown and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±4.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
17%±3.9
VT: 21.4%
Washington and Williamstown 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%
17.6%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.7%±2
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
4.8%±3.2Highest
VT: 7%
Williamstown 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±$8kLowest
19% below VT
$74,792±$25k
8% below VT
$94,418±$10kHighest
16% above VT
Williamstown 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±$37kLowest
31% below VT
$234,200±$45k
26% below VT
$234,900±$24kHighest
26% below VT
Williamstown 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
—
$1,659±$189Highest
34% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,485Lowest
31% below VT
$3,588
29% below VT
$3,841Highest
24% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
34.5%±63.6Lowest
VT: 48.4%
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
83.7%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Williamstown 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%Highest
VT: 10.1%
8.2%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
94.4%
VT: 73.2%
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
90.7%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1980Lowest
4 yrs newer than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1986
10 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 min
31% above VT
40 minHighest
69% above VT
23 minLowest
about the VT average
Work from home
14.9%±5.7
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
13.9%±6.6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Washington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — — #47 of 70 in VT
School district Echo Valley Community Union School District #67 Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District Paine Mountain Union School District #68
High school in town None in town None in town Williamstown Middle/High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
9.5
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.