Compare towns

Wilmington vs Jay vs Dover

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wilmington has the oldest population (median age 59.1).
Jay has the most kids (14.2% under 18).
Dover has grown the fastest since 2010 (+60%).

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.

MeasureWilmingtonJayDover
People
Population
1,747Highest
471Lowest
1,466
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+20.2%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+60%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
59.1±4.8Highest
37% above VT
52.1±10.5Lowest
21% above VT
53.5±8.3
24% above VT
Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
9.6%±4Lowest
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3Highest
VT: 17.9%
10.2%±5.7
VT: 17.9%
Jay and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
32.6%±7.1Highest
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
29.5%±6.2
VT: 21.4%
Wilmington and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
46.8%
VT: 43.8%
45.1%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
48.9%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.7%±2.2Lowest
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5
VT: 7%
2.5%±2.9Highest
VT: 7%
Dover and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$70,000±$23k
14% below VT
$74,792±$25kHighest
8% below VT
$52,313±$7kLowest
36% below VT
Jay and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$287,700±$16k
9% below VT
$234,200±$45kLowest
26% below VT
$332,900±$55kHighest
5% above VT
Dover and Wilmington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,106±$95Highest
10% below VT
—
$670±$49Lowest
46% below VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$5,299Highest
5% above VT
$3,588Lowest
29% below VT
$4,510
10% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
40.3%±23Highest
VT: 48.4%
40%±100
VT: 48.4%
38.1%±17.2Lowest
VT: 48.4%
Wilmington and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
6.1%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
7.3%
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
74%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
81.1%
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1975Lowest
1 yr older than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
1984
8 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
21 minLowest
9% below VT
40 minHighest
69% above VT
22 min
6% below VT
Work from home
10.8%±6Lowest
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
VT: 16.9%
23.2%±11.1
VT: 16.9%
Jay and Dover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Twin Valley Unified School District #75 Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District River Valleys Unified School District #73
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.