What stands out worked out from the figures below

LaFayette has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.8%).

Enfield has the most kids (26.3% 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	LaFayette	Enfield
People
Population	4,878Highest	3,310Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-0.8%Highest NY: +4.2%	-4.3%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	45.5±5.8Highest 14% above NY	42.3±9.4Lowest 6% above NY
	LaFayette and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	17%±5Lowest NY: 20.5%	26.3%±6.8Highest NY: 20.5%
	Enfield and LaFayette are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21%±5.3Lowest NY: 17.9%	21.9%±4.9Highest NY: 17.9%
	Enfield and LaFayette are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	43.7%Highest NY: 40.2%	42.9%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.3%±3Highest NY: 7%	4.3%±2.3Lowest NY: 7%
	LaFayette and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$113,750±$21kHighest 32% above NY	$94,750±$27kLowest 10% above NY
	LaFayette and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$228,600±$16kHighest 46% below NY	$224,000±$26kLowest 47% below NY
	LaFayette and Enfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,298±$123Lowest 20% below NY	$1,301±$198Highest 20% below NY
	Enfield and LaFayette are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,836Highest 27% below NY	$4,723Lowest 28% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	13.5%±17.2Lowest NY: 52.1%	54%±24Highest NY: 52.1%
	Enfield and LaFayette are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	4.2%Lowest NY: 14%	14.3%Highest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	78.7%Lowest NY: 54.3%	79.2%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1980Lowest 21 yrs newer than NY	1986Highest 27 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	22 minLowest 33% below NY	31 minHighest 5% below NY
Work from home	16.9%±7.1Highest NY: 14.9%	15.2%±6.9Lowest NY: 14.9%
	LaFayette and Enfield 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	#331 of 484 in NY	#483 of 484 in NY
School district	LAFAYETTE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	ITHACA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town	LA FAYETTE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	None in town
Students per teacherat that high school	7.9	—
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.