Compare towns

Central Square vs Wethersfield vs Arcade

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%).
Wethersfield has the most homeowners (80.1%).
Arcade has the most renters (49.4% rent).

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.

MeasureCentral SquareWethersfieldArcade
People
Population
2,163Highest
815Lowest
1,915
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+0.8%Highest
NY: +4.2%
-14.5%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
-7.9%
NY: +4.2%
Median age
43.3±8Lowest
9% above NY
46±4.4Highest
16% above NY
44.7±4.6
12% above NY
Wethersfield and Arcade 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%
21.6%±4.3Highest
NY: 20.5%
17.9%±3.7Lowest
NY: 20.5%
Wethersfield and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
16.8%±4.1
NY: 17.9%
13.1%±2.5Lowest
NY: 17.9%
21.6%±4.1Highest
NY: 17.9%
Arcade and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
26.3%Highest
NY: 40.2%
20.3%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
22.5%
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
4.5%±2.3
NY: 7%
4.2%±3.8Lowest
NY: 7%
8.5%±6.5Highest
NY: 7%
Arcade and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$69,500±$23k
19% below NY
$96,094±$14kHighest
12% above NY
$58,695±$4kLowest
32% below NY
Wethersfield and Central Square are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$196,000±$20kHighest
54% below NY
$131,300±$20kLowest
69% below NY
$172,300±$19k
59% below NY
Central Square and Arcade are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$908±$91
44% below NY
$916±$126Highest
43% below NY
$805±$176Lowest
50% below NY
Wethersfield and Central Square 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
$2,787Lowest
58% below NY
$3,938
40% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44%±13.7Highest
NY: 52.1%
30.2%±38.9Lowest
NY: 52.1%
42.7%±14
NY: 52.1%
Central Square and Arcade are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
15.1%
NY: 14%
9%Lowest
NY: 14%
17.7%Highest
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
54.8%
NY: 54.3%
80.1%Highest
NY: 54.3%
50.6%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1979Highest
20 yrs newer than NY
1977
18 yrs newer than NY
1962Lowest
3 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
26 minLowest
21% below NY
28 minHighest
13% below NY
28 min
14% below NY
Work from home
13.3%±6.7Highest
NY: 14.9%
6.8%±3.4
NY: 14.9%
6.3%±4.3Lowest
NY: 14.9%
Central Square and Wethersfield 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 — — #260 of 484 in NY
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.