What stands out worked out from the figures below

Sheridan has the most affordable homes ($193k median).

Java has the most kids (20.7% 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	Sheridan	Java
People
Population	2,529Highest	2,049Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-4.1% NY: +4.2%	-4.1% NY: +4.2%
Median age	47.2±8.7Highest 19% above NY	44.2±5.5Lowest 11% above NY
	Sheridan and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	16.6%±4.6Lowest NY: 20.5%	20.7%±4.7Highest NY: 20.5%
	Java and Sheridan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	24.2%±5Highest NY: 17.9%	19.5%±3.6Lowest NY: 17.9%
	Sheridan and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	21.8%Lowest NY: 40.2%	24.6%Highest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.8%±1.8Lowest NY: 7%	3%±2.4Highest NY: 7%
	Java and Sheridan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$87,083±$13kLowest about the NY average	$95,129±$24kHighest 11% above NY
	Java and Sheridan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$192,900±$17kLowest 54% below NY	$223,900±$30kHighest 47% below NY
	Java and Sheridan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$861±$64Lowest 47% below NY	$863±$419Highest 47% below NY
	Java and Sheridan are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,651Lowest 45% below NY	$3,775Highest 43% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	42.1%±28.2Highest NY: 52.1%	2.5%±61.4Lowest NY: 52.1%
	Sheridan and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	7.5%Highest NY: 14%	3.7%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	93%Lowest NY: 54.3%	95.2%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1959Highest same as NY	1956Lowest 3 yrs older than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	24 minLowest 26% below NY	27 minHighest 17% below NY
Work from home	9.2%±4.7Highest NY: 14.9%	9%±4.4Lowest NY: 14.9%
	Sheridan and Java 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.