Compare towns
Central Square vs Java vs Jerusalem vs Waterville
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Central Square has grown the fastest since 2010 (+0.8%).
Java has the highest household income ($95k).
Jerusalem has the most expensive homes ($321k median).
Waterville has the most affordable homes ($170k 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.
| Measure | Central Square | Java | Jerusalem | Waterville |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,163 |
2,049 |
4,278Highest |
1,731Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +0.8%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-4.1% NY: +4.2% |
-1.4% NY: +4.2% |
-6.9%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 43.3±8 9% above NY |
44.2±5.5 11% above NY |
34±4.4Lowest 15% below NY |
44.9±4.5Highest 13% above NY |
| Waterville and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19.7%±4.7 NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7Highest NY: 20.5% |
18.5%±3.1Lowest NY: 20.5% |
18.8%±3.6 NY: 20.5% |
| Java and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 16.8%±4.1Lowest NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6 NY: 17.9% |
21.3%±3.3 NY: 17.9% |
21.5%±1.6Highest NY: 17.9% |
| Waterville and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 26.3% NY: 40.2% |
24.6%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
45.2%Highest NY: 40.2% |
24.7% NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.5%±2.3 NY: 7% |
3%±2.4 NY: 7% |
21.9%±1.4Highest NY: 7% |
1.7%±1.1Lowest NY: 7% |
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $69,500±$23kLowest 19% below NY |
$95,129±$24kHighest 11% above NY |
$86,780±$11k about the NY average |
$82,273±$13k 4% below NY |
| Java and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $196,000±$20k 54% below NY |
$223,900±$30k 47% below NY |
$320,900±$59kHighest 24% below NY |
$170,100±$12kLowest 60% below NY |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $908±$91Highest 44% below NY |
$863±$419 47% below NY |
$870±$116 46% below NY |
$820±$132Lowest 49% below NY |
| Central Square and Jerusalem are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $5,756Highest 13% below NY |
$3,775 43% below NY |
$4,523 31% below NY |
$3,425Lowest 48% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 44%±13.7 NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
67.3%±43.4Highest NY: 52.1% |
24%±10.3 NY: 52.1% |
| Jerusalem and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 15.1%Highest NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
9% NY: 14% |
8.1% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 54.8% NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
90.2% NY: 54.3% |
54.1%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1979 20 yrs newer than NY |
1956 3 yrs older than NY |
1981Highest 22 yrs newer than NY |
1938Lowest 21 yrs older than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 26 min 21% below NY |
27 minHighest 17% below NY |
24 min 25% below NY |
22 minLowest 34% below NY |
| Work from home | 13.3%±6.7 NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4Lowest NY: 14.9% |
16.9%±5.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
14.8%±3 NY: 14.9% |
| Jerusalem and Waterville 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.