Compare towns

Ellenburg vs Java vs Afton

Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Ellenburg has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.7%).
Java has the most expensive homes ($224k median).
Afton has the most renters (28.9% 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.

MeasureEllenburgJavaAfton
People
Population
1,992Lowest
2,049
2,733Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
+5.7%Highest
NY: +4.2%
-4.1%Lowest
NY: +4.2%
-2.9%
NY: +4.2%
Median age
46.7±4.5
17% above NY
44.2±5.5Lowest
11% above NY
47.6±6.3Highest
20% above NY
Afton and Ellenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18
20.8%±4.1Highest
NY: 20.5%
20.7%±4.7
NY: 20.5%
19.5%±4.7Lowest
NY: 20.5%
Ellenburg and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
24.4%±3.8Highest
NY: 17.9%
19.5%±3.6Lowest
NY: 17.9%
22%±4.6
NY: 17.9%
Ellenburg and Afton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
16.7%
NY: 40.2%
24.6%Highest
NY: 40.2%
11.6%Lowest
NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
1.8%±0.9
NY: 7%
3%±2.4Highest
NY: 7%
1.5%±0.9Lowest
NY: 7%
Java and Ellenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,125±$10k
15% below NY
$95,129±$24kHighest
11% above NY
$51,736±$13kLowest
40% below NY
Java and Ellenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$123,000±$16kLowest
71% below NY
$223,900±$30kHighest
47% below NY
$125,700±$23k
70% below NY
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$801±$192Lowest
51% below NY
$863±$419Highest
47% below NY
$826±$212
49% below NY
Java and Afton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,412Lowest
63% below NY
$3,775Highest
43% below NY
$3,395
48% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
20.2%±15.7
NY: 52.1%
2.5%±61.4Lowest
NY: 52.1%
66%±45.7Highest
NY: 52.1%
Afton and Ellenburg are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
12.4%Highest
NY: 14%
3.7%Lowest
NY: 14%
12.1%
NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.3%
NY: 54.3%
95.2%Highest
NY: 54.3%
71.1%Lowest
NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year
1973Highest
14 yrs newer than NY
1956
3 yrs older than NY
1952Lowest
7 yrs older than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
34 minHighest
4% above NY
27 min
17% below NY
23 minLowest
29% below NY
Work from home
7.7%±4.2
NY: 14.9%
9%±4.4Highest
NY: 14.9%
4.5%±2.3Lowest
NY: 14.9%
Java and Ellenburg 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 — — #418 of 484 in NY
School district NORTHERN ADIRONDACK CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — AFTON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town NORTHERN ADIRONDACK MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL — AFTON JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Students per teacherat that high school
8.5Highest
—
6.7Lowest
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.