Compare towns
Worcester vs Jay vs Wheelock 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 grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).
Wheelock has the most affordable homes ($190k median).
Plainfield has the most expensive homes ($318k 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 | Worcester | Jay | Wheelock | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 831 |
471Lowest |
717 |
1,314Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.4% VT: +2.8% |
+5.8%Highest VT: +2.8% |
-6.4%Lowest VT: +2.8% |
-0.6% VT: +2.8% |
| Median age | 47±2.7Lowest 9% above VT |
52.1±10.5Highest 21% above VT |
51±5.6 18% above VT |
48.1±5.5 12% above VT |
| Jay and Wheelock 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% |
18.8%±3.5Highest VT: 17.9% |
16.3%±4.7 VT: 17.9% |
| Wheelock and Plainfield 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% |
29.4%±4.7Highest VT: 21.4% |
21.1%±3.5 VT: 21.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 53%Highest VT: 43.8% |
45.1% VT: 43.8% |
34.9%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%±2.3 VT: 7% |
2.1%±1.3 VT: 7% |
| Worcester and Wheelock 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±$25kHighest 8% below VT |
$64,792±$20kLowest 20% below VT |
$69,250±$31k 15% below VT |
| Jay and Worcester 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±$45k 26% below VT |
$189,600±$37kLowest 40% below VT |
$318,400±$34kHighest about the VT average |
| Plainfield and Worcester 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 |
— | — | $1,153±$103Highest 7% below VT |
| Plainfield 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 |
$3,588 29% below VT |
$2,937Lowest 42% below VT |
$4,806Highest 5% below VT |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 25.5%±37 VT: 48.4% |
40%±100 VT: 48.4% |
0%±100Lowest VT: 48.4% |
73.2%±53.9Highest VT: 48.4% |
| Plainfield and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 5.9%Lowest VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
8.7% VT: 10.1% |
11.6%Highest VT: 10.1% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.9% VT: 73.2% |
97% VT: 73.2% |
97.9%Highest VT: 73.2% |
80.9%Lowest VT: 73.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1976 same as VT |
2001Highest 25 yrs newer than VT |
1989 13 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 |
28 min 17% above VT |
24 minLowest about the VT average |
| Work from home | 23.6%±4.8 VT: 16.9% |
27.3%±13.7Highest VT: 16.9% |
21.1%±16 VT: 16.9% |
16.4%±4.4Lowest VT: 16.9% |
| Jay 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 | 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.