What stands out worked out from the figures below

Nelson has the oldest population (median age 47.2).

Eaton has the youngest population (median age 24.5).

Eaton is a college town. 34.3% of residents are enrolled in college, which pulls its median age, poverty rate and renter figures away from what a year-round family would see.

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	Nelson	Eaton
People
Population	1,765Lowest	4,144Highest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-4.5%Highest NY: +4.2%	-18.5%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	47.2±6.2Highest 19% above NY	24.5±2.9Lowest 38% below NY
Kids under 18	20.1%±8Highest NY: 20.5%	15.4%±3.7Lowest NY: 20.5%
	Nelson and Eaton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.7%±3.6Highest NY: 17.9%	14.2%±3Lowest NY: 17.9%
	Nelson and Eaton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	46.8%Highest NY: 40.2%	16.4%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	6.2%±3.4Lowest NY: 7%	34.3%±2.6Highest NY: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$82,063±$18kHighest 5% below NY	$53,281±$11kLowest 38% below NY
	Nelson and Eaton are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$230,000±$18kHighest 46% below NY	$119,400±$8kLowest 72% below NY
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$773±$328Lowest 52% below NY	$818±$147Highest 50% below NY
	Eaton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,990Highest 39% below NY	$3,132Lowest 52% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	22.2%±40.6Lowest NY: 52.1%	48.7%±17.5Highest NY: 52.1%
	Eaton and Nelson are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7.8%Lowest NY: 14%	10.1%Highest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	86.3%Highest NY: 54.3%	77.9%Lowest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1957Highest 2 yrs older than NY	1953Lowest 6 yrs older than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	29 minHighest 13% below NY	20 minLowest 39% below NY
Work from home	13.8%±6.9Highest NY: 14.9%	9.9%±5.6Lowest NY: 14.9%
	Nelson and Eaton 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	—	#371 of 484 in NY
School district	—	MORRISVILLE-EATON CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town	—	None in town
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.