Compare towns

Danby vs Olean vs Dorset

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Danby has the oldest population (median age 52.6).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k median).
Dorset has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5%).

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.

MeasureDanbyOleanDorset
People
Population
1,133Lowest
13,738Highest
2,092
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-2.1%
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
+5%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
52.6±4.8Highest
35% above U.S.
39±2.6Lowest
about the U.S. average
45.9±7.5
18% above U.S.
Danby and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
14.6%±3.4Lowest
U.S.: 22%
23.5%±2.9
U.S.: 22%
24%±5.5Highest
U.S.: 22%
Dorset and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.3%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
19.1%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
21.9%±4.5
U.S.: 17.2%
Danby and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
34.8%
U.S.: 35.7%
29.9%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
72.1%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.5%±1.9Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±1.1Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
2.8%±2.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Olean and Dorset are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$77,321±$13k
4% below U.S.
$51,261±$7kLowest
37% below U.S.
$111,250±$40kHighest
38% above U.S.
Dorset and Danby are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$272,400±$41k
18% below U.S.
$86,100±$6kLowest
74% below U.S.
$569,200±$57kHighest
71% above U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$794±$166Lowest
44% below U.S.
$794±$52Lowest
44% below U.S.
$1,420±$296Highest
about the U.S. average
Property taxmedian, yearly
$4,543
46% above U.S.
$3,130Lowest
about the U.S. average
$7,489Highest
140% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
41.4%±34.6Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52%±9.1
U.S.: 51.1%
74.4%±22.5Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Dorset and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
9.4%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
26.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
11.2%
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
89.3%
U.S.: 65.2%
55.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
90.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1981Highest
1 yr newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
1972
8 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
30 minHighest
12% above U.S.
14 minLowest
45% below U.S.
22 min
18% below U.S.
Work from home
12.1%±5.1
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
29.3%±7.5Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
Schools
Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading — #337 of 484 in NY —
School district Taconic and Green Regional School District #63 OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Taconic and Green Regional School District #63
High school in town None in town OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL None in town
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.