Compare towns
Worcester vs Jay vs Rupert vs Middlesex
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 renters (14.1% rent).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Rupert has the oldest population (median age 57.8).
Middlesex has the most kids (21.3% 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 | Rupert | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 831 |
471Lowest |
676 |
1,943Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-2.2% VT: +2.8% |
+2.8% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7 9% above VT |
52.1±10.5 21% above VT |
57.8±9.7Highest 34% above VT |
44.4±3.9Lowest 3% above VT |
| Rupert and Jay 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% |
14.2%±7.3 VT: 17.9% |
13.9%±3.7 VT: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.1Highest VT: 17.9% |
| Middlesex 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% |
42.3%±8.1Highest VT: 21.4% |
20.6%±3.7 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53% VT: 43.8% |
45.1% VT: 43.8% |
30.6%Lowest VT: 43.8% |
54.7%Highest VT: 43.8% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 6.9%±4.7Highest VT: 7% |
1.9%±2.5Lowest VT: 7% |
2.1%±2.5 VT: 7% |
5.2%±2.6 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Middlesex 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 |
$74,792±$25k 8% below VT |
$88,229±$36k 9% above VT |
$109,632±$13kHighest 35% above VT |
| Middlesex and Rupert 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 |
$362,500±$63k 14% above VT |
$376,300±$40kHighest 19% above VT |
| Middlesex and Rupert 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 |
— | — | $1,333±$359Highest 8% above VT |
| Middlesex and Worcester 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 |
$4,594 9% below VT |
$6,483Highest 29% above VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100Highest VT: 48.4% |
20%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
| Jay and Worcester 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%Highest VT: 10.1% |
6% VT: 10.1% |
3.8%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
97%Highest VT: 73.2% |
93.7% VT: 73.2% |
96.7% VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1955Lowest 21 yrs older than VT |
1986 10 yrs newer than VT |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 29 min 22% above VT |
40 minHighest 69% above VT |
27 minLowest 14% above VT |
27 min 17% above VT |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7 VT: 16.9% |
18.6%±9.2Lowest VT: 16.9% |
28.4%±10.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
| Middlesex 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 | — | Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 |
| 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 | 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.