Compare towns
Wayne vs Sheldon vs Jay vs South Bristol
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).
Sheldon has the most kids (23.7% under 18).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
South Bristol has the most expensive homes ($310k 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 | Wayne | Sheldon | Jay | South Bristol |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,033 |
2,267Highest |
471Lowest |
1,624 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.1%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-2.5% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.8%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
+3.2% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 62.6±3.6Highest 61% above U.S. |
40.9±3.5Lowest 5% above U.S. |
52.1±10.5 34% above U.S. |
59.3±2.9 52% above U.S. |
| Wayne and South Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.3%±3 U.S.: 22% |
23.7%±3.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
14.2%±7.3 U.S.: 22% |
10.8%±2.5Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Sheldon 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% |
12.6%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
15.5%±6.3 U.S.: 17.2% |
31.2%±3 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Wayne and South Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 42.3% U.S.: 35.7% |
14.7%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
45.1% U.S.: 35.7% |
47.2%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1%±0.8Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2%±1.3 U.S.: 6.4% |
1.9%±2.5 U.S.: 6.4% |
5.1%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| South Bristol and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $90,938±$17k 13% above U.S. |
$78,533±$25k about the U.S. average |
$74,792±$25kLowest 7% below U.S. |
$97,148±$14kHighest 20% above U.S. |
| South Bristol and Wayne 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. |
$272,400±$61k 18% below U.S. |
$234,200±$45kLowest 30% below U.S. |
$309,600±$31kHighest 7% below U.S. |
| South Bristol and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,031±$304Lowest 27% below U.S. |
$1,286±$379 9% below U.S. |
— | $1,417±$508Highest about the U.S. average |
| South Bristol and Sheldon 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. |
$3,578Lowest 15% above U.S. |
$3,588 15% above U.S. |
$5,205Highest 67% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.9%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
0%±27Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±100 U.S.: 51.1% |
44.1%±59.4Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| South Bristol and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
5.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
8.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
6.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
89%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
97%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
92.8% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
1984 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
2001Highest 21 yrs newer than U.S. |
1977 3 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min 7% above U.S. |
25 minLowest 5% below U.S. |
40 minHighest 50% above U.S. |
29 min 11% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 9.3%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
13%±3.7 U.S.: 15.1% |
27.3%±13.7Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
15.6%±3.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Jay and South Bristol are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | Northern Mountain Valley Unified Union School District #85 | 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 | 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.