Compare towns

Hadley vs Middlesex vs Olean

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

What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hadley has the oldest population (median age 54.1).
Middlesex has grown the fastest since 2010 (+2.8%).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k median).

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.

MeasureHadleyMiddlesexOlean
People
Population
2,074
1,943Lowest
13,738Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census
-3.5%
U.S.: +7.4%
+2.8%Highest
U.S.: +7.4%
-3.6%Lowest
U.S.: +7.4%
Median age
54.1±3Highest
39% above U.S.
44.4±3.9
14% above U.S.
39±2.6Lowest
about the U.S. average
Kids under 18
14.4%±3Lowest
U.S.: 22%
21.3%±3.1
U.S.: 22%
23.5%±2.9Highest
U.S.: 22%
Olean and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+
26.1%±4.6Highest
U.S.: 17.2%
20.6%±3.7
U.S.: 17.2%
19.1%±2.5Lowest
U.S.: 17.2%
Hadley and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+
25%Lowest
U.S.: 35.7%
54.7%Highest
U.S.: 35.7%
29.9%
U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents
2.1%±1.8Lowest
U.S.: 6.4%
5.2%±2.6Highest
U.S.: 6.4%
3.6%±1.1
U.S.: 6.4%
Middlesex and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian
$73,750±$32k
9% below U.S.
$109,632±$13kHighest
36% above U.S.
$51,261±$7kLowest
37% below U.S.
Middlesex and Hadley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied
$194,200±$30k
42% below U.S.
$376,300±$40kHighest
13% above U.S.
$86,100±$6kLowest
74% below U.S.
Rentmedian gross, monthly
$900±$293
36% below U.S.
$1,333±$359Highest
6% below U.S.
$794±$52Lowest
44% below U.S.
Middlesex and Hadley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly
$2,375Lowest
24% below U.S.
$6,483Highest
108% above U.S.
$3,130
about the U.S. average
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent
44.3%±17
U.S.: 51.1%
0%±100Lowest
U.S.: 51.1%
52%±9.1Highest
U.S.: 51.1%
Olean and Hadley are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line
11.5%
U.S.: 12.5%
3.8%Lowest
U.S.: 12.5%
26.7%Highest
U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes
83.7%
U.S.: 65.2%
96.7%Highest
U.S.: 65.2%
55.1%Lowest
U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year
1972
8 yrs older than U.S.
1986Highest
6 yrs newer than U.S.
1938Lowest
42 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way
31 minHighest
19% above U.S.
27 min
4% above U.S.
14 minLowest
45% below U.S.
Work from home
24.2%±23.4
U.S.: 15.1%
28.4%±10.7Highest
U.S.: 15.1%
8.4%±2.6Lowest
U.S.: 15.1%
Middlesex and Hadley 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 — Washington Central Unified Union School District #92 OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town — None in town OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
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.