Compare towns
Maine vs Olean vs Chenango vs Nanticoke
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Maine has the oldest population (median age 57.1).
Olean has the most affordable homes ($86k median).
Chenango has the most people working from home (13.8%).
Nanticoke has the most kids (25.6% 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.
| Measure | Maine | Olean | Chenango | Nanticoke |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 5,089 |
13,738Highest |
10,787 |
1,683Lowest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -3.9% NY: +4.2% |
-3.6% NY: +4.2% |
-2.6%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-5.4%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 57.1±10Highest 43% above NY |
39±2.6Lowest about the NY average |
41±2.8 3% above NY |
41.5±6.4 4% above NY |
| Maine and Nanticoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 15.2%±4.6Lowest NY: 20.5% |
23.5%±2.9 NY: 20.5% |
22.7%±3 NY: 20.5% |
25.6%±5.3Highest NY: 20.5% |
| Nanticoke and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 33.4%±8.7Highest NY: 17.9% |
19.1%±2.5Lowest NY: 17.9% |
22.6%±2.6 NY: 17.9% |
22.6%±3.5 NY: 17.9% |
| Maine and Chenango are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 28% NY: 40.2% |
29.9% NY: 40.2% |
35.2%Highest NY: 40.2% |
15.8%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 2.8%±2 NY: 7% |
3.6%±1.1 NY: 7% |
4.8%±2Highest NY: 7% |
1.5%±1.2Lowest NY: 7% |
| Chenango and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $69,115±$19k 20% below NY |
$51,261±$7kLowest 40% below NY |
$86,646±$9kHighest about the NY average |
$69,432±$13k 19% below NY |
| Chenango and Nanticoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $156,100±$44k 63% below NY |
$86,100±$6kLowest 80% below NY |
$172,000±$9kHighest 59% below NY |
$157,100±$32k 63% below NY |
| Chenango and Nanticoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $939±$49 42% below NY |
$794±$52Lowest 51% below NY |
$1,038±$97Highest 36% below NY |
$941±$314 42% below NY |
| Chenango and Nanticoke are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $3,828Highest 42% below NY |
$3,130Lowest 52% below NY |
$3,700 44% below NY |
$3,171 52% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 26.1%±14.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
52%±9.1 NY: 52.1% |
41.7%±8.7 NY: 52.1% |
57.4%±37.8Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Nanticoke and Olean are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 11.6% NY: 14% |
26.7%Highest NY: 14% |
9.1%Lowest NY: 14% |
14.6% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 85.3%Highest NY: 54.3% |
55.1%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
85.3%Highest NY: 54.3% |
77% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1938Lowest 21 yrs older than NY |
1964 5 yrs newer than NY |
1980Highest 21 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 20 min 40% below NY |
14 minLowest 56% below NY |
24 minHighest 27% below NY |
23 min 29% below NY |
| Work from home | 10.6%±4.7 NY: 14.9% |
8.4%±2.6 NY: 14.9% |
13.8%±3.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
5%±4.9Lowest NY: 14.9% |
| Chenango and Maine 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 | #369 of 484 in NY | #337 of 484 in NY | #233 of 484 in NY | — |
| School district | MAINE-ENDWELL CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | OLEAN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT | CHENANGO FORKS CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT · CHENANGO VALLEY CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | — |
| High school in town | None in town | OLEAN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | CHENANGO FORKS HIGH SCHOOL | — |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | 12.2Highest |
11.1Lowest |
— |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | 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.