Compare towns
Benton vs Jerusalem vs Wayne vs Seneca
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%).
Jerusalem has the most people working from home (16.9%).
Wayne has the oldest population (median age 62.6).
Seneca has the most affordable homes ($193k 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 | Benton | Jerusalem | Wayne | Seneca |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,948 |
4,278Highest |
1,033Lowest |
2,622 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +5.3%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-1.4% NY: +4.2% |
-3.1%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-2.8% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 40.6±8.4 about the NY average |
34±4.4Lowest 15% below NY |
62.6±3.6Highest 57% above NY |
44.5±6.2 12% above NY |
| Kids under 18 | 30.1%±5.2Highest NY: 20.5% |
18.5%±3.1 NY: 20.5% |
12.3%±3Lowest NY: 20.5% |
19.5%±3.9 NY: 20.5% |
| Age 65+ | 24.8%±4.9 NY: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.3Lowest NY: 17.9% |
40.1%±6Highest NY: 17.9% |
22.3%±4.5 NY: 17.9% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 27.9% NY: 40.2% |
45.2%Highest NY: 40.2% |
42.3% NY: 40.2% |
22.1%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 1.1%±1 NY: 7% |
21.9%±1.4Highest NY: 7% |
1%±0.8Lowest NY: 7% |
2.2%±1.4 NY: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $74,767±$13kLowest 13% below NY |
$86,780±$11k about the NY average |
$90,938±$17kHighest 6% above NY |
$90,658±$21k 5% above NY |
| Wayne and Seneca 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 |
$320,900±$59kHighest 24% below NY |
$266,700±$150k 37% below NY |
$192,700±$9kLowest 55% below NY |
| Jerusalem and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,541±$628 5% below NY |
$870±$116Lowest 46% below NY |
$1,031±$304 36% below NY |
$1,549±$420Highest 4% below NY |
| Seneca and Benton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,391 48% below NY |
$4,523Highest 31% below NY |
$3,967 40% below NY |
$2,810Lowest 57% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 14.5%±10.3 NY: 52.1% |
67.3%±43.4Highest NY: 52.1% |
38.9%±100 NY: 52.1% |
7.2%±24.9Lowest NY: 52.1% |
| Jerusalem and Wayne 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% |
9% NY: 14% |
6.2%Lowest NY: 14% |
6.2%Lowest NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 75.9%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
90.2% NY: 54.3% |
95.8%Highest NY: 54.3% |
91.6% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1981Highest 22 yrs newer than NY |
1971 12 yrs newer than NY |
1945Lowest 14 yrs older than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 23 minLowest 30% below NY |
24 min 25% below NY |
28 minHighest 13% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
| Work from home | 11.8%±5.4 NY: 14.9% |
16.9%±5.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
9.3%±4.2Lowest NY: 14.9% |
10.9%±3.6 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 | 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.