Compare towns
Buchanan vs Java vs Union Vale
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Buchanan has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.2%).
Java has the most affordable homes ($224k median).
Union Vale has the most kids (26% under 18).
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 | Buchanan | Java | Union Vale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 2,397 |
2,049Lowest |
4,567Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +3.2%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-4.1% NY: +4.2% |
-6.5%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 38.5±3.5Lowest 3% below NY |
44.2±5.5Highest 11% above NY |
40.7±4.4 about the NY average |
| Java and Union Vale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 23%±5.3 NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7Lowest NY: 20.5% |
26%±7.2Highest NY: 20.5% |
| Union Vale and Buchanan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 18.2%±3.2 NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6Highest NY: 17.9% |
16.2%±3.6Lowest NY: 17.9% |
| Java and Buchanan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 48.1%Highest NY: 40.2% |
24.6%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
42.9% NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.8%±2.1Highest NY: 7% |
3%±2.4Lowest NY: 7% |
3.7%±2.3 NY: 7% |
| Buchanan and Union Vale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $128,218±$23kHighest 49% above NY |
$95,129±$24kLowest 11% above NY |
$102,888±$22k 20% above NY |
| Buchanan and Union Vale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $525,500±$55kHighest 24% above NY |
$223,900±$30kLowest 47% below NY |
$490,900±$45k 16% above NY |
| Buchanan and Union Vale are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,953±$836 20% above NY |
$863±$419Lowest 47% below NY |
$2,167±$2kHighest 34% above NY |
| Union Vale and Buchanan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $10,000+Highest at least 52% above NY |
$3,775Lowest 43% below NY |
$9,469 44% above NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34%±23 NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
52.1%±20.8Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Union Vale and Buchanan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 5.7% NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
7.7%Highest NY: 14% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 87%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
87.8% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1959 same as NY |
1956Lowest 3 yrs older than NY |
1976Highest 17 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 33 min about the NY average |
27 minLowest 17% below NY |
40 minHighest 24% above NY |
| Work from home | 14.2%±6 NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4Lowest NY: 14.9% |
15.2%±5.6Highest NY: 14.9% |
| Union Vale and Buchanan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | #89 of 484 in NY |
| School district | — | — | ARLINGTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 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.