Compare towns

Brasher vs Java vs Sheldon vs Brasher Falls

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Brasher has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.6%).
Java has the most people working from home (9%).
Brasher Falls has the most affordable homes ($98k 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.

MeasureBrasherJavaSheldonBrasher Falls
People
Population
2,592Highest
2,049
2,216
776Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+4.6%Highest
NY: +4.2%
-4.1%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
-1.7%
NY: +4.2%
+0.7%
NY: +4.2%
Median age
46.6±9
17% above NY
44.2±5.5Lowest
11% above NY
48.9±7.6
23% above NY
49.3±18.7Highest
24% above NY
Brasher Falls and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
18.4%±6.2
NY: 20.5%
20.7%±4.7Highest
NY: 20.5%
14.9%±3.9Lowest
NY: 20.5%
14.9%±7.4Lowest
NY: 20.5%
Java and Brasher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
23.5%±5
NY: 17.9%
19.5%±3.6
NY: 17.9%
25%±3.2Highest
NY: 17.9%
18.9%±6.9Lowest
NY: 17.9%
Sheldon and Brasher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
10.6%
NY: 40.2%
24.6%Highest
NY: 40.2%
13.7%
NY: 40.2%
9.9%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.4%±2.2
NY: 7%
3%±2.4Lowest
NY: 7%
3.3%±2.8
NY: 7%
10.1%±6.7Highest
NY: 7%
Brasher Falls and Brasher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$53,911±$14k
37% below NY
$95,129±$24kHighest
11% above NY
$71,214±$5k
17% below NY
$52,868±$35kLowest
39% below NY
Java and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$124,300±$24k
71% below NY
$223,900±$30kHighest
47% below NY
$175,900±$14k
58% below NY
$98,000±$43kLowest
77% below NY
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$730±$195
55% below NY
$863±$419Highest
47% below NY
$818±$84
50% below NY
$416±$387Lowest
74% below NY
Java and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,500
62% below NY
$3,775Highest
43% below NY
$3,037
54% below NY
$2,488Lowest
62% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
74.3%±27.2
NY: 52.1%
2.5%±61.4Lowest
NY: 52.1%
50.9%±21.3
NY: 52.1%
75.4%±34.7Highest
NY: 52.1%
Brasher Falls and Brasher are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
22.4%Highest
NY: 14%
3.7%Lowest
NY: 14%
11.8%
NY: 14%
13.2%
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
75.4%
NY: 54.3%
95.2%Highest
NY: 54.3%
81.6%
NY: 54.3%
60.2%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978Highest
19 yrs newer than NY
1956Lowest
3 yrs older than NY
1963
4 yrs newer than NY
1965
6 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
20 min
37% below NY
27 min
17% below NY
33 minHighest
about the NY average
19 minLowest
43% below NY
Work from home
1.9%±1.8
NY: 14.9%
9%±4.4Highest
NY: 14.9%
2.2%±1.6
NY: 14.9%
1.4%±2.7Lowest
NY: 14.9%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading #300 of 484 in NY — — —
School district BRASHER FALLS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — — —
High school in town None in town — — —
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.