Compare towns
Caroline vs Java vs Seneca vs Sheldon
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Caroline has grown the fastest since 2010 (+1.6%).
Java has the most kids (20.7% under 18).
Seneca has the oldest housing (typical home built 1945).
Sheldon has the oldest population (median age 48.9).
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 | Caroline | Java | Seneca | Sheldon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 3,280Highest |
2,049Lowest |
2,622 |
2,216 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.6%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-4.1%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-2.8% NY: +4.2% |
-1.7% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 40.5±3.5Lowest about the NY average |
44.2±5.5 11% above NY |
44.5±6.2 12% above NY |
48.9±7.6Highest 23% above NY |
| Sheldon and Seneca are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 17.9%±5.3 NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7Highest NY: 20.5% |
19.5%±3.9 NY: 20.5% |
14.9%±3.9Lowest NY: 20.5% |
| Java and Seneca are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 18.5%±4.2Lowest NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6 NY: 17.9% |
22.3%±4.5 NY: 17.9% |
25%±3.2Highest NY: 17.9% |
| Sheldon and Seneca are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 59.1%Highest NY: 40.2% |
24.6% NY: 40.2% |
22.1% NY: 40.2% |
13.7%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.8%±2.1Highest NY: 7% |
3%±2.4 NY: 7% |
2.2%±1.4Lowest NY: 7% |
3.3%±2.8 NY: 7% |
| Caroline and Sheldon are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $80,855±$21k 6% below NY |
$95,129±$24kHighest 11% above NY |
$90,658±$21k 5% above NY |
$71,214±$5kLowest 17% below NY |
| Java and Seneca are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $234,200±$40kHighest 45% below NY |
$223,900±$30k 47% below NY |
$192,700±$9k 55% below NY |
$175,900±$14kLowest 58% below NY |
| Caroline and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,398±$416 14% below NY |
$863±$419 47% below NY |
$1,549±$420Highest 4% below NY |
$818±$84Lowest 50% below NY |
| Seneca and Caroline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,703Highest 13% below NY |
$3,775 43% below NY |
$2,810Lowest 57% below NY |
$3,037 54% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 43.3%±15.4 NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
7.2%±24.9 NY: 52.1% |
50.9%±21.3Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Sheldon and Caroline are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 14.6%Highest NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
6.2% NY: 14% |
11.8% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 65.6%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
91.6% NY: 54.3% |
81.6% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1970Highest 11 yrs newer than NY |
1956 3 yrs older than NY |
1945Lowest 14 yrs older than NY |
1963 4 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 21 minLowest 35% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
33 minHighest about the NY average |
| Work from home | 22.1%±9.3Highest NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4 NY: 14.9% |
10.9%±3.6 NY: 14.9% |
2.2%±1.6Lowest NY: 14.9% |
| Caroline and Seneca 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 | #345 of 484 in NY | — | — | — |
| School district | NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES (OCFS) · ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | — | — | — |
| High school in town | MACCORMICK SECURE CENTER | — | — | — |
| 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.