Compare towns

Waterville vs Jay vs Sutton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Waterville has the most kids (20.4% under 18).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Sutton has the shortest commute (30 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.

MeasureWatervilleJaySutton
People
Population
680
471Lowest
790Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+1.9%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
-11.3%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
49.1±8.2
14% above VT
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
46.6±5.7Lowest
8% above VT
Jay and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.4%±8.2Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3Lowest
VT: 17.9%
17.3%±3.4
VT: 17.9%
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
14.4%±3.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3
VT: 21.4%
21.6%±2.7Highest
VT: 21.4%
Sutton and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
32.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Highest
VT: 43.8%
32.8%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
5.3%±3.3Highest
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
2.3%±1.8
VT: 7%
Waterville and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$71,250±$27kLowest
12% below VT
$74,792±$25kHighest
8% below VT
$71,250±$18kLowest
12% below VT
Jay and Waterville are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$236,300±$15kHighest
25% below VT
$234,200±$45k
26% below VT
$231,100±$41kLowest
27% below VT
Waterville and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,110±$93
10% below VT
— —
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,957
21% below VT
$3,588Lowest
29% below VT
$3,975Highest
21% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.6%±27.2Highest
VT: 48.4%
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
37.8%±31.1Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Waterville and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
4.9%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%
VT: 10.1%
12.4%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
79.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
85%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972Lowest
4 yrs older than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1979
3 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
38 min
60% above VT
40 minHighest
69% above VT
30 minLowest
26% above VT
Work from home
8.5%±3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
11.6%±5.3
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Sutton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District Kingdom East Unified Union School District #64
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

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.