Compare towns
Potter vs Java vs Edwards vs Middlesex
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Potter has grown the fastest since 2010 (-0.4%).
Java has the highest household income ($95k).
Edwards has the most affordable homes ($102k median).
Middlesex has the most people working from home (18.2%).
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 | Potter | Java | Edwards | Middlesex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 1,871 |
2,049Highest |
1,327Lowest |
1,407 |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -0.4%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-4.1% NY: +4.2% |
-12.2%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-7.9% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 35.1±6.7 12% below NY |
44.2±5.5 11% above NY |
34.1±8.7Lowest 14% below NY |
55.3±6Highest 39% above NY |
| Middlesex and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 29%±5.2 NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7 NY: 20.5% |
31%±4.3Highest NY: 20.5% |
18%±3.8Lowest NY: 20.5% |
| Edwards and Potter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 14.4%±3.7Lowest NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6 NY: 17.9% |
14.7%±1.6 NY: 17.9% |
24.6%±3.1Highest NY: 17.9% |
| Middlesex and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 10.8%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
24.6%Highest NY: 40.2% |
12.8% NY: 40.2% |
21.1% NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 4.6%±3.7Highest NY: 7% |
3%±2.4 NY: 7% |
0.5%±0.6Lowest NY: 7% |
1.3%±1.3 NY: 7% |
| Potter and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $67,344±$19kLowest 22% below NY |
$95,129±$24kHighest 11% above NY |
$72,300±$14k 16% below NY |
$75,750±$21k 12% below NY |
| Java and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $130,300±$23k 69% below NY |
$223,900±$30kHighest 47% below NY |
$101,800±$9kLowest 76% below NY |
$208,100±$62k 51% below NY |
| Java and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | $1,005±$136 38% below NY |
$863±$419 47% below NY |
$850±$331Lowest 48% below NY |
$1,406±$672Highest 13% below NY |
| Middlesex and Potter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $2,796 58% below NY |
$3,775Highest 43% below NY |
$2,225Lowest 66% below NY |
$3,459 47% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 41.7%±18.6Highest NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1% |
13.2%±28.2 NY: 52.1% |
29.1%±39 NY: 52.1% |
| Potter and Middlesex are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 10%Highest NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
9.7% NY: 14% |
5.8% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 79.5%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
80.9% NY: 54.3% |
90.1% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1969 10 yrs newer than NY |
1956Lowest 3 yrs older than NY |
1970 11 yrs newer than NY |
1974Highest 15 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 25 minLowest 25% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
29 minHighest 11% below NY |
25 min 22% below NY |
| Work from home | 13.4%±4.6 NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4 NY: 14.9% |
4.1%±4.2Lowest NY: 14.9% |
18.2%±6.2Highest NY: 14.9% |
| Middlesex and Potter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| School district | — | — | — | GORHAM-MIDDLESEX CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT (MARCUS WHITMAN) |
| High school in town | — | — | — | None in town |
| 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.