Compare towns
Benton vs Java vs Jerusalem
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Benton has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.3%).
Java has the most affordable homes ($224k median).
Jerusalem has the most people working from home (16.9%).
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 | Benton | Java | Jerusalem |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,948 |
2,049Lowest |
4,278Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.3%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-4.1%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-1.4% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 40.6±8.4 about the NY average |
44.2±5.5Highest 11% above NY |
34±4.4Lowest 15% below NY |
| Java and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 30.1%±5.2Highest NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7 NY: 20.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest NY: 20.5% |
| Benton and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±4.9Highest NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6Lowest NY: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.3 NY: 17.9% |
| Benton and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.9% NY: 40.2% |
24.6%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
45.2%Highest NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.1%±1Lowest NY: 7% |
3%±2.4 NY: 7% |
21.9%±1.4Highest NY: 7% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $74,767±$13kLowest 13% below NY |
$95,129±$24kHighest 11% above NY |
$86,780±$11k about the NY average |
| Java and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $258,600±$51k 39% below NY |
$223,900±$30kLowest 47% below NY |
$320,900±$59kHighest 24% below NY |
| Jerusalem and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,541±$628Highest 5% below NY |
$863±$419Lowest 47% below NY |
$870±$116 46% below NY |
| Benton and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,391Lowest 48% below NY |
$3,775 43% below NY |
$4,523Highest 31% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 14.5%±10.3 NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
67.3%±43.4Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Jerusalem and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 19.4%Highest NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
9% NY: 14% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
90.2% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1956Lowest 3 yrs older than NY |
1981Highest 22 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 30% below NY |
27 minHighest 17% below NY |
24 min 25% below NY |
| Work from home | 11.8%±5.4 NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4Lowest NY: 14.9% |
16.9%±5.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
| Jerusalem and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
NY 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.