Compare towns
Worcester vs Jay vs Andover vs Plainfield
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 youngest population (median age 47).
Jay has the most affordable homes ($234k median).
Andover has the highest household income ($103k).
Plainfield has the most kids (16.3% under 18).
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 | Worcester | Jay | Andover | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 831 |
471Lowest |
616 |
1,314Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
— | -0.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
49.2±5.1 14% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
| Jay and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 12.8%±3.9 VT: 17.9% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
11.5%±4.9Lowest VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Plainfield and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 19.5%±2.5 VT: 21.4% |
15.5%±6.3Lowest VT: 21.4% |
22.7%±4.3Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Andover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.1% VT: 43.8% |
43.3%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
48.2% VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.8%±1.5 VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Andover are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $73,833±$18k 9% below VT |
$74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$102,500±$38kHighest 26% above VT |
$69,250±$31kLowest 15% below VT |
| Andover and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $271,100±$27k 14% below VT |
$234,200±$45kLowest 26% below VT |
$382,900±$68kHighest 21% above VT |
$318,400±$34k about the VT average |
| Andover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,023±$136Lowest 17% below VT |
— | $1,389±$364Highest 13% above VT |
$1,153±$103 7% below VT |
| Andover and Plainfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,421 12% below VT |
$3,588Lowest 29% below VT |
$5,190Highest about the VT average |
$4,806 5% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37Lowest VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
69.4%±47.1 VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Andover 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% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
4.6%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
82.8% VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1980 4 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 22% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
25 min 7% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
29.6%±12.9Highest VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Andover and Jay 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 | 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 |
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.