What stands out worked out from the figures below

Esopus has grown the fastest since 2010 (+5.6%).

Newstead has the most kids (18.6% under 18).

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.

Raising kidsAffordabilityOwning a homeShort commuteWorking from homeYounger crowdSettled, older crowdGrowing town

Measure	Esopus	Newstead
People
Population	9,561Highest	8,681Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+5.6%Highest NY: +4.2%	+1.1%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	48.8±2.6Lowest 23% above NY	52±2.6Highest 31% above NY
	Newstead and Esopus are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	16.2%±3.1Lowest NY: 20.5%	18.6%±3.4Highest NY: 20.5%
	Newstead and Esopus are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	24.9%±4.1 NY: 17.9%	24.9%±4 NY: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	32.1%Highest NY: 40.2%	29.7%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.9%±1.3Lowest NY: 7%	3.1%±1.2Highest NY: 7%
	Newstead and Esopus are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$88,837±$8kHighest 3% above NY	$71,200±$13kLowest 17% below NY
	Esopus and Newstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$272,200±$30kHighest 36% below NY	$235,500±$16kLowest 44% below NY
	Esopus and Newstead are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,471±$362Highest 9% below NY	$772±$133Lowest 52% below NY
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,488Highest 17% below NY	$4,634Lowest 30% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	36.5%±14.6Lowest NY: 52.1%	50.3%±23.6Highest NY: 52.1%
	Newstead and Esopus are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	21.5%Highest NY: 14%	6.6%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	83.3%Highest NY: 54.3%	79.7%Lowest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1969Lowest 10 yrs newer than NY	1978Highest 19 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	27 minHighest 17% below NY	24 minLowest 25% below NY
Work from home	12.5%±5Lowest NY: 14.9%	14.1%±4.5Highest NY: 14.9%
	Newstead and Esopus 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	#51 of 484 in NY	#123 of 484 in NY
School district	KINGSTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT · WEST PARK UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT	AKRON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town	None in town	AKRON HIGH SCHOOL
Students per teacherat that high school	—	10.3
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	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.