What stands out worked out from the figures below

Hamlin has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.5%).

Seward has the most kids (27.2% 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	Hamlin	Seward
People
Population	8,652Highest	2,055Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-3.5%Highest NY: +4.2%	-10.2%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	41.9±3.7Highest 5% above NY	39.5±8Lowest about the NY average
	Hamlin and Seward are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	20.2%±3.5Lowest NY: 20.5%	27.2%±3Highest NY: 20.5%
Age 65+	19.9%±3.2Highest NY: 17.9%	17.9%±1.1Lowest NY: 17.9%
	Hamlin and Seward are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	27.3%Highest NY: 40.2%	27.1%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	3.9%±1.3Lowest NY: 7%	5.1%±2.3Highest NY: 7%
	Seward and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$83,510±$9kLowest about the NY average	$86,786±$20kHighest about the NY average
	Seward and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$166,200±$9kLowest 61% below NY	$198,500±$25kHighest 53% below NY
	Seward and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,062±$137Lowest 34% below NY	$1,180±$201Highest 27% below NY
	Seward and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,343Highest 34% below NY	$3,855Lowest 41% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	59.6%±13.6Highest NY: 52.1%	28.3%±45.3Lowest NY: 52.1%
	Hamlin and Seward are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	11.5%Lowest NY: 14%	16.4%Highest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	89.3%Highest NY: 54.3%	87.5%Lowest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1976 17 yrs newer than NY	1976 17 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	28 minLowest 15% below NY	37 minHighest 14% above NY
Work from home	12.2%±4.2Lowest NY: 14.9%	13.1%±4.3Highest NY: 14.9%
	Seward and Hamlin are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
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.