Jamestown Vs. Plymouth: First Thanksgiving Housing Showdown

Although Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts is traditionally considered the site of the first Thanksgiving, some argue that the celebration actually took place earlier on a plantation near Jamestown, Va.

While historians may continue to grapple over that, Cyberhomes has released the following snapshot of Plymouth and Jamestown in an effort to determine which location would make a better destination for settlers today.

Here's what it found:

The first permanent English settlers in the New World built a fort in James City County , VA:

• Median Estimated Home value - $319,766, which is down -6.44 percent in the past 12 months.
• Population - 62,649
• Pop Change since 2000 - 3.71%
• Median Household Income - $95,567
• Unemployment Rate - 2.60%
• Recent Job Growth - 2.31%

The Mayflower dropped anchor and the Pilgrims established a colony in Plymouth County , MA:

• Median Estimated Home value - $310,752, which is down -13.87 percent in the past 12 months.
• Population - 505,547
• Pop Change since 2000 - 0.93%
• Median Household Income - $92,471
• Unemployment Rate - 4.80%
• Recent Job Growth - 0.27%

Based on the above, settlers seeking a spot today would be best to settle in Jamestown, VA. Compared to Plymouth, James City County boasts a higher median household income, a faster growing population, lower unemployment rate and higher recent job growth. In addition, the county's home values have not taken nearly as big a hit as in Plymouth.