Compare towns

Black Brook vs Middlesex vs Tompkins

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Black Brook has the most renters (11.9% rent).
Middlesex has the most kids (18% under 18).
Tompkins has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).

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.

MeasureBlack BrookMiddlesexTompkins
People
Population
1,315
1,407Highest
1,187Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.9%
NY: +4.2%
-7.9%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
+3.4%Highest
NY: +4.2%
Median age
56.5±5.8
42% above NY
55.3±6Lowest
39% above NY
57.6±5.8Highest
45% above NY
Tompkins and Black Brook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
10.6%±3.3
NY: 20.5%
18%±3.8Highest
NY: 20.5%
8.8%±1.9Lowest
NY: 20.5%
Age 65+
36%±5.5Highest
NY: 17.9%
24.6%±3.1Lowest
NY: 17.9%
30.6%±4.9
NY: 17.9%
Black Brook and Tompkins are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
26.8%Highest
NY: 40.2%
21.1%
NY: 40.2%
18.8%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.9%±3.8Highest
NY: 7%
1.3%±1.3Lowest
NY: 7%
3.9%±2
NY: 7%
Black Brook and Tompkins are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$67,852±$20k
21% below NY
$75,750±$21kHighest
12% below NY
$61,103±$27kLowest
29% below NY
Middlesex and Black Brook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$202,200±$48k
52% below NY
$208,100±$62kHighest
51% below NY
$185,700±$23kLowest
56% below NY
Middlesex and Black Brook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$783±$461
52% below NY
$1,406±$672Highest
13% below NY
$483±$80Lowest
70% below NY
Middlesex and Black Brook are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,633Highest
45% below NY
$3,459
47% below NY
$2,487Lowest
62% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
46.9%±32Highest
NY: 52.1%
29.1%±39
NY: 52.1%
0%±73.7Lowest
NY: 52.1%
Black Brook and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
7.5%
NY: 14%
5.8%Lowest
NY: 14%
8.8%Highest
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
88.1%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
90.1%
NY: 54.3%
91.1%Highest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1970Lowest
11 yrs newer than NY
1974
15 yrs newer than NY
1992Highest
33 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
32 min
3% below NY
25 minLowest
22% below NY
70 minHighest
115% above NY
Work from home
3.4%±2.8Lowest
NY: 14.9%
18.2%±6.2
NY: 14.9%
23.5%±13.3Highest
NY: 14.9%
Tompkins and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district — GORHAM-MIDDLESEX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MARCUS WHITMAN) —
High school in town — None in town —
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.