Compare towns

Wayne vs Jay vs Jerusalem

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wayne has the oldest population (median age 62.6).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Jerusalem has the youngest population (median age 34).

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.

MeasureWayneJayJerusalem
People
Population
1,033
471Lowest
4,278Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.1%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-1.4%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
62.6±3.6Highest
61% above U.S.
52.1±10.5
34% above U.S.
34±4.4Lowest
13% below U.S.
Wayne and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.3%±3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
14.2%±7.3
U.S.: 22%
18.5%±3.1Highest
U.S.: 22%
Jerusalem and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
40.1%±6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.3%±3.3
U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
42.3%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
45.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
45.2%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1%±0.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
1.9%±2.5
U.S.: 6.4%
21.9%±1.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$90,938±$17kHighest
13% above U.S.
$74,792±$25kLowest
7% below U.S.
$86,780±$11k
7% above U.S.
Wayne and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$266,700±$150k
20% below U.S.
$234,200±$45kLowest
30% below U.S.
$320,900±$59kHighest
4% below U.S.
Jerusalem and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,031±$304Highest
27% below U.S.
—
$870±$116Lowest
38% below U.S.
Wayne and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,967
27% above U.S.
$3,588Lowest
15% above U.S.
$4,523Highest
45% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
38.9%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
40%±100
U.S.: 51.1%
67.3%±43.4Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Jerusalem and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
8.7%
U.S.: 12.5%
9%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
95.8%
U.S.: 65.2%
97%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.2%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1971Lowest
9 yrs older than U.S.
2001Highest
21 yrs newer than U.S.
1981
1 yr newer than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
28 min
7% above U.S.
40 minHighest
50% above U.S.
24 minLowest
8% below U.S.
Work from home
9.3%±4.2Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
27.3%±13.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
16.9%±5.2
U.S.: 15.1%
Jay and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District —
High school in town — None in town —
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History 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.