Jay is one of the northernmost towns in Orleans County, Vermont, United States, located on the Canada–US border. The population was 551 at the 2020 census. Jay is named for John Jay, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. The US Census Bureau estimated that the town's population had increased by 13.1% between 2000 and 2005, the seventh largest increase in the state. Jay is also home to the Jay Challenge, a three-part stage-race, typically held in July.

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Town numbers

ZIP codeSign in to add

Area code802

Living in Jay

Housing in Jay

$426K▲ 7.1% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Jay home is worth about $426,000, up 7.1% in a year, 7% above the Vermont typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Jay

Full picture →

Most working residents leave Jay for work: only 17% work in town. The top destinations are Newport (20%), Derby (9%) and Troy (7%). Half commute less than 14 miles.

Newport

20%

Derby

Troy

Westfield

17%Work in townlive and work in Jay 14 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 720Jobs based herea job hub

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Jay →

Health in Jay

Compared with Vermont

4worse than VT

of 26 measures CDC estimates. The other 22 are too close to call.

Conditions 1▼ 11 close Habits 2▼ 2 close Care 1▼ 6 close Mind all close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

12.7%More older adults who have lost all their teethVT 10.1% · worse 35.5%More adults sleeping under 7 hoursVT 28.6% · worse 13.6%More smokersVT 11.2% · worse

Care nearby

North Country Hospital and Health CenterNewport · 15 mi · ER · rural critical access

Richford Dental ClinicRichford · 8.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 05859 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Jay →

Natural hazards in Jay

Low

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 20% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Inland flooding🥶 Cold waves

1Does Jay flood?paid flood claims since 2011 6Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Jay MapJay vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Jay →

Climate in Jay

Full climate →

Jay has cold winters and cool summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 70°, a January night drops to 3°.

23° / 7°Winter

44° / 26°Spring

68° / 51°Summer

49° / 34°Fall

When is the first frost?Around Oct 1, with the last in spring around May 14.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.8° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Jay →

Schools in Jay

All Jay schools →

C⁻

School Grade C-

The public schools Jay’s kids attend, from kindergarten through graduation, trail 85% of Vermont’s districts on state tests and graduation. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictJay/Westfield Joint Elementary School DistrictSchools1

Jay/Westfield Joint Elementary School CElementary · Grades PK–6 · 81 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results and graduation rates, graded within VT. Ratings are from neighbors.