Compare towns

Brookfield vs Freedom vs Java vs Edmeston

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Java has the highest household income ($95k).
Edmeston has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.4%).

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.

MeasureBrookfieldFreedomJavaEdmeston
People
Population
2,150
2,483Highest
2,049Lowest
2,130
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-11.7%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
-6%
NY: +4.2%
-4.1%
NY: +4.2%
+4.4%Highest
NY: +4.2%
Median age
41.2±6.1
4% above NY
43.2±7
9% above NY
44.2±5.5Highest
11% above NY
35.4±1.6Lowest
11% below NY
Java and Freedom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
21.8%±4.9
NY: 20.5%
18.6%±4.3Lowest
NY: 20.5%
20.7%±4.7
NY: 20.5%
25.3%±3.3Highest
NY: 20.5%
Edmeston and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
19.9%±4Highest
NY: 17.9%
16.6%±2.9Lowest
NY: 17.9%
19.5%±3.6
NY: 17.9%
17.2%±3
NY: 17.9%
Brookfield and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
16.8%
NY: 40.2%
15.5%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
24.6%Highest
NY: 40.2%
20%
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.4%±1.3Lowest
NY: 7%
3.9%±2.8Highest
NY: 7%
3%±2.4
NY: 7%
3.3%±2.4
NY: 7%
Freedom and Edmeston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,205±$9k
20% below NY
$73,646±$24k
14% below NY
$95,129±$24kHighest
11% above NY
$67,639±$12kLowest
21% below NY
Java and Freedom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$152,800±$28k
64% below NY
$176,900±$19k
58% below NY
$223,900±$30kHighest
47% below NY
$147,400±$14kLowest
65% below NY
Java and Freedom are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$981±$75
39% below NY
$519±$219Lowest
68% below NY
$863±$419
47% below NY
$988±$295Highest
39% below NY
Edmeston and Brookfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$3,197
51% below NY
$3,443
48% below NY
$3,775Highest
43% below NY
$2,019Lowest
69% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
51.4%±35.6Highest
NY: 52.1%
10.1%±32.5
NY: 52.1%
2.5%±61.4Lowest
NY: 52.1%
35.3%±21.9
NY: 52.1%
Brookfield and Edmeston are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
16.6%
NY: 14%
7%
NY: 14%
3.7%Lowest
NY: 14%
25.7%Highest
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
84.1%
NY: 54.3%
88.9%
NY: 54.3%
95.2%Highest
NY: 54.3%
78.5%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1978
19 yrs newer than NY
1982Highest
23 yrs newer than NY
1956
3 yrs older than NY
1942Lowest
17 yrs older than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
36 minHighest
11% above NY
28 min
15% below NY
27 min
17% below NY
25 minLowest
24% below NY
Work from home
11.5%±4.1
NY: 14.9%
6.9%±2.9Lowest
NY: 14.9%
9%±4.4
NY: 14.9%
13.4%±5.2Highest
NY: 14.9%
Edmeston and Brookfield 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.