Compare towns

Calais vs Ferrisburgh vs Olean

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Calais has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.4%).
Ferrisburgh has the oldest population (median age 45.5).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k 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.

MeasureCalaisFerrisburghOlean
People
Population
1,713Lowest
2,661
13,738Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+3.4%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-4.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.6%
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
42±8.6
8% above U.S.
45.5±4.9Highest
17% above U.S.
39±2.6Lowest
about the U.S. average
Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
22.5%±5.4
U.S.: 22%
17.2%±4.5Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
Olean and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
21.6%±5.2
U.S.: 17.2%
23.3%±3.8Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.1%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
55.4%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
51.1%
U.S.: 35.7%
29.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
7.4%±3.4Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3%±2.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Calais and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$100,625±$27k
25% above U.S.
$106,989±$22kHighest
33% above U.S.
$51,261±$7kLowest
37% below U.S.
Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$390,300±$36k
17% above U.S.
$422,700±$35kHighest
27% above U.S.
$86,100±$6kLowest
74% below U.S.
Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$1,408±$392
about the U.S. average
$1,435±$173Highest
about the U.S. average
$794±$52Lowest
44% below U.S.
Ferrisburgh and Calais are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$6,586Highest
111% above U.S.
$6,120
96% above U.S.
$3,130Lowest
about the U.S. average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
49%±38.3Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
57%±19.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
52%±9.1
U.S.: 51.1%
Ferrisburgh and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
8.8%
U.S.: 12.5%
2.2%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
26.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
92.4%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
85.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
55.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1976Highest
4 yrs older than U.S.
1968
12 yrs older than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
18% above U.S.
28 min
8% above U.S.
14 minLowest
45% below U.S.
Work from home
23.4%±7.1Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
14.6%±4.2
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Calais and Ferrisburgh 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 — #7 of 70 in VT #337 of 484 in NY
School district Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 Addison Northwest Unified Union School District #54 OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town None in town None in town OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Students per teacherat that high school — —
12.2
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.