Compare towns

Worcester vs Troy vs Jay

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 expensive homes ($271k median).
Troy has the most kids (21.4% under 18).
Jay has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.8%).

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.

MeasureWorcesterTroyJay
People
Population
831
1,749Highest
471Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.4%Lowest
VT: +2.8%
+3.6%
VT: +2.8%
+5.8%Highest
VT: +2.8%
Median age
47±2.7
9% above VT
44.5±5.7Lowest
3% above VT
52.1±10.5Highest
21% above VT
Jay 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%
21.4%±3.9Highest
VT: 17.9%
14.2%±7.3
VT: 17.9%
Troy and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.5%±2.5Highest
VT: 21.4%
17.7%±3
VT: 21.4%
15.5%±6.3Lowest
VT: 21.4%
Worcester and Troy 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%
20.2%Lowest
VT: 43.8%
45.1%
VT: 43.8%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
6.9%±4.7Highest
VT: 7%
2.7%±1.4
VT: 7%
1.9%±2.5Lowest
VT: 7%
Worcester and Troy 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
$87,938±$11kHighest
8% above VT
$74,792±$25k
8% below VT
Troy 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±$27kHighest
14% below VT
$233,200±$21kLowest
26% below VT
$234,200±$45k
26% below VT
Worcester and Jay are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,023±$136Highest
17% below VT
$646±$323Lowest
48% below VT
—
Worcester and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,421Highest
12% below VT
$3,644
28% below VT
$3,588Lowest
29% below VT
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
25.5%±37Lowest
VT: 48.4%
30.8%±26.3
VT: 48.4%
40%±100Highest
VT: 48.4%
Jay and Troy 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%
8.6%
VT: 10.1%
8.7%Highest
VT: 10.1%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
85.9%Lowest
VT: 73.2%
86.6%
VT: 73.2%
97%Highest
VT: 73.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Lowest
same as VT
1980
4 yrs newer than VT
2001Highest
25 yrs newer than VT
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
29 min
22% above VT
24 minLowest
about the VT average
40 minHighest
69% above VT
Work from home
23.6%±4.8
VT: 16.9%
7.8%±2.3Lowest
VT: 16.9%
27.3%±13.7Highest
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 Troy School District Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School District
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.