Compare towns
Chenango vs Maine vs Olean vs Hamlin
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Chenango has grown the fastest since 2010 (-2.6%).
Maine has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k median).
Hamlin has the most homeowners (89.3%).
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 | Chenango | Maine | Olean | Hamlin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 10,787 |
5,089Lowest |
13,738Highest |
8,652 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -2.6%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-3.9%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-3.6% NY: +4.2% |
-3.5% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 41±2.8 3% above NY |
57.1±10Highest 43% above NY |
39±2.6Lowest about the NY average |
41.9±3.7 5% above NY |
| Kids under 18 | 22.7%±3 NY: 20.5% |
15.2%±4.6Lowest NY: 20.5% |
23.5%±2.9Highest NY: 20.5% |
20.2%±3.5 NY: 20.5% |
| Olean and Chenango are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±2.6 NY: 17.9% |
33.4%±8.7Highest NY: 17.9% |
19.1%±2.5Lowest NY: 17.9% |
19.9%±3.2 NY: 17.9% |
| Maine and Chenango are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 35.2%Highest NY: 40.2% |
28% NY: 40.2% |
29.9% NY: 40.2% |
27.3%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.8%±2Highest NY: 7% |
2.8%±2Lowest NY: 7% |
3.6%±1.1 NY: 7% |
3.9%±1.3 NY: 7% |
| Chenango and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $86,646±$9kHighest about the NY average |
$69,115±$19k 20% below NY |
$51,261±$7kLowest 40% below NY |
$83,510±$9k about the NY average |
| Chenango and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $172,000±$9kHighest 59% below NY |
$156,100±$44k 63% below NY |
$86,100±$6kLowest 80% below NY |
$166,200±$9k 61% below NY |
| Chenango and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,038±$97 36% below NY |
$939±$49 42% below NY |
$794±$52Lowest 51% below NY |
$1,062±$137Highest 34% below NY |
| Hamlin and Chenango are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,700 44% below NY |
$3,828 42% below NY |
$3,130Lowest 52% below NY |
$4,343Highest 34% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±8.7 NY: 52.1% |
26.1%±14.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
52%±9.1 NY: 52.1% |
59.6%±13.6Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Hamlin and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 9.1%Lowest NY: 14% |
11.6% NY: 14% |
26.7%Highest NY: 14% |
11.5% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.3% NY: 54.3% |
85.3% NY: 54.3% |
55.1%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
89.3%Highest NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1938Lowest 21 yrs older than NY |
1976Highest 17 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 min 27% below NY |
20 min 40% below NY |
14 minLowest 56% below NY |
28 minHighest 15% below NY |
| Work from home | 13.8%±3.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
10.6%±4.7 NY: 14.9% |
8.4%±2.6Lowest NY: 14.9% |
12.2%±4.2 NY: 14.9% |
| Chenango and Hamlin 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 | #233 of 484 in NY | #369 of 484 in NY | #337 of 484 in NY | — |
| School district | CHENANGO FORKS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT · CHENANGO VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | MAINE-ENDWELL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | — |
| High school in town | CHENANGO FORKS HIGH SCHOOL | None in town | OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | 11.1Lowest |
— | 12.2Highest |
— |
| 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.