What stands out worked out from the figures below

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

Otisco has the most kids (23.6% 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	LaFayette	Otisco
People
Population	4,878Highest	2,545Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-0.8%Highest NY: +4.2%	-6.8%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	45.5±5.8Highest 14% above NY	42.2±4.7Lowest 6% above NY
	LaFayette and Otisco 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%	23.6%±5.5Highest NY: 20.5%
	Otisco and LaFayette are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	21%±5.3Highest NY: 17.9%	19.8%±3.7Lowest NY: 17.9%
	LaFayette and Otisco 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%	40%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.3%±3Highest NY: 7%	2.8%±1.1Lowest NY: 7%
	LaFayette and Otisco 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	$83,950±$17kLowest about the NY average
	LaFayette and Otisco are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$228,600±$16kLowest 46% below NY	$263,900±$18kHighest 38% below NY
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,298±$123Highest 20% below NY	$964±$92Lowest 41% below NY
Property taxmedian, yearly	$4,836Lowest 27% below NY	$5,368Highest 18% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	13.5%±17.2Lowest NY: 52.1%	17.8%±31.4Highest NY: 52.1%
	Otisco 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%	5.8%Highest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	78.7%Lowest NY: 54.3%	88%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1980Highest 21 yrs newer than NY	1973Lowest 14 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	22 minLowest 33% below NY	27 minHighest 18% below NY
Work from home	16.9%±7.1Highest NY: 14.9%	9.9%±3.7Lowest NY: 14.9%
	LaFayette and Otisco 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	—
School district	LAFAYETTE CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT	—
High school in town	LA FAYETTE JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL	—
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.