What stands out worked out from the figures below

Monroe has grown the fastest since 2010 (+11.7%).

Wayne has the oldest population (median age 62.6).

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	Monroe	Wayne
People
Population	9,515Highest	1,033Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+11.7%Highest NY: +4.2%	-3.1%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	32.6±5.1Lowest 18% below NY	62.6±3.6Highest 57% above NY
Kids under 18	28.4%±4.4Highest NY: 20.5%	12.3%±3Lowest NY: 20.5%
Age 65+	9.8%±2.1Lowest NY: 17.9%	40.1%±6Highest NY: 17.9%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	41.6%Lowest NY: 40.2%	42.3%Highest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.9%±1.8Highest NY: 7%	1%±0.8Lowest NY: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$109,851±$7kHighest 28% above NY	$90,938±$17kLowest 6% above NY
	Monroe and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$427,800±$17kHighest about the NY average	$266,700±$150kLowest 37% below NY
	Monroe and Wayne are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$2,202±$203Highest 36% above NY	$1,031±$304Lowest 36% below NY
Property taxmedian, yearly	$10,000+Highest at least 52% above NY	$3,967Lowest 40% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	37.3%±15.6Lowest NY: 52.1%	38.9%±100Highest NY: 52.1%
	Wayne and Monroe are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	9%Highest NY: 14%	6.2%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	81%Lowest NY: 54.3%	95.8%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1980Highest 21 yrs newer than NY	1971Lowest 12 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	32 minHighest about the NY average	28 minLowest 13% below NY
Work from home	8.3%±3.6Lowest NY: 14.9%	9.3%±4.2Highest NY: 14.9%
	Wayne and Monroe 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.