Compare towns
Eden vs Olean vs Lowell vs Brownington
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against the U.S..
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Eden has the most expensive homes ($216k median).
Olean has the shortest commute (14 min average).
Lowell has the most kids (30.7% under 18).
Brownington has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.5%).
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.
| Measure | Eden | Olean | Lowell | Brownington |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,351 |
13,738Highest |
1,070Lowest |
1,144 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +1.1% U.S.: +7.4% |
-3.6%Lowest U.S.: +7.4% |
+0.9% U.S.: +7.4% |
+5.5%Highest U.S.: +7.4% |
| Median age | 37.7±1.9 3% below U.S. |
39±2.6 about the U.S. average |
32.9±6.5Lowest 15% below U.S. |
40.5±4.5Highest 4% above U.S. |
| Brownington and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 20.4%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 22% |
23.5%±2.9 U.S.: 22% |
30.7%±6.2Highest U.S.: 22% |
26.1%±3.4 U.S.: 22% |
| Lowell and Brownington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 11.6%±3.2Lowest U.S.: 17.2% |
19.1%±2.5Highest U.S.: 17.2% |
12.3%±4.1 U.S.: 17.2% |
11.7%±2 U.S.: 17.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 17.4%Lowest U.S.: 35.7% |
29.9%Highest U.S.: 35.7% |
19.2% U.S.: 35.7% |
21.8% U.S.: 35.7% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.1%±3.8 U.S.: 6.4% |
3.6%±1.1 U.S.: 6.4% |
2.8%±1.9Lowest U.S.: 6.4% |
5%±2.5Highest U.S.: 6.4% |
| Brownington and Eden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $83,578±$8kHighest 4% above U.S. |
$51,261±$7kLowest 37% below U.S. |
$57,404±$15k 29% below U.S. |
$75,556±$17k 6% below U.S. |
| Eden and Brownington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $215,900±$27kHighest 35% below U.S. |
$86,100±$6kLowest 74% below U.S. |
$183,400±$33k 45% below U.S. |
$193,800±$40k 42% below U.S. |
| Eden and Brownington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,300±$441Highest 8% below U.S. |
$794±$52 44% below U.S. |
$945±$46 33% below U.S. |
$745±$504Lowest 47% below U.S. |
| Eden and Lowell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,313 6% above U.S. |
$3,130 about the U.S. average |
$2,810Lowest 10% below U.S. |
$3,912Highest 25% above U.S. |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 34.3%±39 U.S.: 51.1% |
52%±9.1 U.S.: 51.1% |
26.3%±92.9Lowest U.S.: 51.1% |
78.5%±29.7Highest U.S.: 51.1% |
| Brownington and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 6.1%Lowest U.S.: 12.5% |
26.7%Highest U.S.: 12.5% |
9.6% U.S.: 12.5% |
21.5% U.S.: 12.5% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 77.4% U.S.: 65.2% |
55.1%Lowest U.S.: 65.2% |
94.1%Highest U.S.: 65.2% |
81% U.S.: 65.2% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1991Highest 11 yrs newer than U.S. |
1938Lowest 42 yrs older than U.S. |
1984 4 yrs newer than U.S. |
1985 5 yrs newer than U.S. |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 38 min 45% above U.S. |
14 minLowest 45% below U.S. |
55 minHighest 109% above U.S. |
33 min 25% above U.S. |
| Work from home | 5.6%±4Lowest U.S.: 15.1% |
8.4%±2.6Highest U.S.: 15.1% |
7.5%±2.3 U.S.: 15.1% |
6%±2.5 U.S.: 15.1% |
| Olean and Lowell 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 | — | #337 of 484 in NY | — | — |
| School district | Lamoille North Modified Union School District #058A | OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | Lowell School District | Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School District |
| High school in town | None in town | OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | None in town | None in town |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.2 |
— | — |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | 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.