Compare towns
Brookline vs Nelson vs Newfane
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Brookline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.9%).
Nelson has the most kids (27.5% under 18).
Newfane has the oldest population (median age 54.4).
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.
| Measure | Brookline | Nelson | Newfane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 531Lowest |
648 |
1,456Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.9%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
-13.7%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
-4.7% U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 45.1±2.7 16% above U.S. |
42.3±11.7Lowest 9% above U.S. |
54.4±3.9Highest 40% above U.S. |
| Kids under 18 | 20%±6 U.S.: 22% |
27.5%±6.6Highest U.S.: 22% |
11.1%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 22% |
| Nelson and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 19.6%±4.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
24.8%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
29.2%±3.9Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
| Newfane and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 41.1%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
61.1%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
46.5% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.2%±1.6Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
0.9%±2.1Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
2.4%±2.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
| Brookline and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $80,833±$16k about the U.S. average |
$99,792±$23kHighest 24% above U.S. |
$66,719±$21kLowest 17% below U.S. |
| Nelson and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $290,700±$37k 13% below U.S. |
$340,900±$49kHighest about the U.S. average |
$284,200±$49kLowest 15% below U.S. |
| Nelson and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,732±$232Highest 23% above U.S. |
$1,203±$243Lowest 15% below U.S. |
$1,266±$238 10% below U.S. |
| Brookline and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,000Lowest 60% above U.S. |
$5,575Highest 79% above U.S. |
$5,174 66% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 47.8%±94.7 U.S.: 51.1% |
40%±68.8Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
51.9%±79.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Newfane and Brookline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 6.2% U.S.: 12.5% |
1.4%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
10.9%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 84.9%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
90.2%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
87.2% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1975Highest 5 yrs older than U.S. |
1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S. |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 minHighest 8% above U.S. |
24 minLowest 8% below U.S. |
27 min about the U.S. average |
| Work from home | 20.6%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
31.5%±8Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
30.8%±12.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Nelson and Newfane are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| School district | — | Nelson School District | West River Valley Union Education District #72A |
| High school in town | — | None in town | None in town |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet |
U.S. 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.