Compare towns

Worcester vs Jamaica vs Stowe

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Worcester has the most affordable homes ($271k median).
Jamaica has the oldest population (median age 55.1).
Stowe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+21.1%).

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.

MeasureWorcesterJamaicaStowe
People
Population
831Lowest
882
5,285Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
-2.9%
VT: +2.8%
+21.1%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
55.1±5.5Highest
28% above VT
46.3±7.6Lowest
7% above VT
Jamaica and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
12.8%±3.9Lowest
VT: 17.9%
13.7%±6.4
VT: 17.9%
22.5%±4.6Highest
VT: 17.9%
Stowe and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Lowest
VT: 21.4%
30%±8.6Highest
VT: 21.4%
25.8%±6.2
VT: 21.4%
Jamaica and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
53%
VT: 43.8%
48.7%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
66.7%Highest
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
3.9%±3.6
VT: 7%
1.6%±1.6Lowest
VT: 7%
Worcester and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,833±$18kLowest
9% below VT
$79,219±$19k
about the VT average
$93,618±$33kHighest
15% above VT
Stowe and Jamaica are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$271,100±$27kLowest
14% below VT
$347,800±$50k
10% above VT
$647,800±$157kHighest
105% above VT
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136
17% below VT
$870±$464Lowest
29% below VT
$1,458±$242Highest
18% above VT
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Lowest
12% below VT
$4,773
5% below VT
$7,161Highest
42% above VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37Highest
VT: 48.4%
7.1%±100Lowest
VT: 48.4%
24.5%±15.9
VT: 48.4%
Worcester and Stowe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
5.9%
VT: 10.1%
4.5%Lowest
VT: 10.1%
9.9%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%
VT: 73.2%
96.9%Highest
VT: 73.2%
78.6%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Lowest
same as VT
1976Lowest
same as VT
1982Highest
6 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 minHighest
22% above VT
23 min
4% below VT
19 minLowest
18% below VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
23.2%±12.2Lowest
VT: 16.9%
24.4%±8.9Highest
VT: 16.9%
Stowe and Worcester are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 West River Valley Union Education District #72A Stowe Town School District
High school in town None in town None in town Stowe High School
Students per teacherat that high school — —
11.3
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.