What stands out worked out from the figures below

Russell has the highest household income ($109k).

Union has the most kids (16.9% 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	Russell	Union
People
Population	1,197Highest	944Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-7.4% U.S.: +7.4%	—
Median age	47.7±7.6Lowest 23% above U.S.	49.9±4.3Highest 28% above U.S.
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	10.4%±4Lowest U.S.: 22%	16.9%±4.3Highest U.S.: 22%
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	19.8%±2.6Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	24.5%±2.6Highest U.S.: 17.2%
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	30.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7%	24%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	4%±4.3Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	5%±3.3Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$108,750±$24kHighest 35% above U.S.	$88,958±$14kLowest 10% above U.S.
	Russell and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$303,300±$32kLowest 9% below U.S.	$330,400±$26kHighest about the U.S. average
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,013±$330 28% below U.S.	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$5,104Highest 64% above U.S.	$4,793Lowest 54% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	25.6%±20.5Lowest U.S.: 51.1%	90%±64.7Highest U.S.: 51.1%
	Union and Russell are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	6.3%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	5.7%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	84.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	92.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1963Lowest 17 yrs older than U.S.	1976Highest 4 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	30 minLowest 14% above U.S.	32 minHighest 20% above U.S.
Work from home	9.2%±4.3Highest U.S.: 15.1%	9%±3.7Lowest U.S.: 15.1%
	Russell and Union are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	—	Union School District
High school in town	—	None in town
On TownTapestry
Old photos in History	None yet	None yet

U.S. 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.