Compare towns
Wilder vs Jay vs Richmond
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against Vermont.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Wilder has grown the fastest since 2010 (+81.7%).
Jay has the most homeowners (97%).
Richmond has the most expensive homes ($432k 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 | Wilder | Jay | Richmond |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 3,087 |
471Lowest |
4,159Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +81.7%Highest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8% VT: +2.8% |
+2.1%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 45.5±8.9 6% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
43.7±5.6Lowest about the VT average |
| Jay and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 11.8%±4.1Lowest VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
21.5%±5Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Richmond and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 27.3%±4.4Highest VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
19.5%±6.3 VT: 21.4% |
| Wilder and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 60.2%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.1%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
59.1% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 8.1%±3.9Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.7 VT: 7% |
| Wilder and Richmond are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $75,143±$9k 7% below VT |
$74,792±$25kLowest 8% below VT |
$108,235±$24kHighest 33% above VT |
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $273,200±$18k 14% below VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$432,200±$39kHighest 37% above VT |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,142±$451 7% below VT |
— | — |
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,505 9% above VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$6,868Highest 36% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 39.9%±17.2 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
28.5%±15.8Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Jay and Wilder are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 9.3%Highest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
4.2%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 62.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
78.8% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1983Lowest 7 yrs newer than VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1983Lowest 7 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 17 minLowest 29% below VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
25 min 6% above VT |
| Work from home | 12.6%±6.7Lowest VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
22.5%±6.1 VT: 16.9% |
| Jay and Richmond 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 | — | — | #5 of 70 in VT |
| School district | — | Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District | Mount Mansfield Unified Union School District #401 |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | 6 photos → | 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.