What stands out worked out from the figures below

Troy has grown the fastest since 2010 (+3.6%).

Putnam has the oldest population (median age 53.6).

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	Troy	Putnam
People
Population	1,749Highest	540Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	+3.6%Highest U.S.: +7.4%	-6.9%Lowest U.S.: +7.4%
Median age	44.5±5.7Lowest 14% above U.S.	53.6±6.4Highest 38% above U.S.
	Putnam and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	21.4%±3.9Highest U.S.: 22%	17.4%±5.2Lowest U.S.: 22%
	Troy and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Age 65+	17.7%±3Lowest U.S.: 17.2%	35.6%±3.4Highest U.S.: 17.2%
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	20.2%Lowest U.S.: 35.7%	31.4%Highest U.S.: 35.7%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	2.7%±1.4Lowest U.S.: 6.4%	2.8%±1.9Highest U.S.: 6.4%
	Putnam and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$87,938±$11kLowest 9% above U.S.	$92,344±$14kHighest 14% above U.S.
	Putnam and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$233,200±$21kLowest 30% below U.S.	$266,200±$48kHighest 20% below U.S.
	Putnam and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$646±$323 54% below U.S.	—
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,644Lowest 17% above U.S.	$3,674Highest 18% above U.S.
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	30.8%±26.3Highest U.S.: 51.1%	0%±100Lowest U.S.: 51.1%
	Troy and Putnam are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	8.6%Highest U.S.: 12.5%	7.2%Lowest U.S.: 12.5%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	86.6%Lowest U.S.: 65.2%	95.9%Highest U.S.: 65.2%
Typical home builtmedian year	1980Highest same as U.S.	1971Lowest 9 yrs older than U.S.
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	24 minHighest 9% below U.S.	21 minLowest 19% below U.S.
Work from home	7.8%±2.3Lowest U.S.: 15.1%	8.6%±5.7Highest U.S.: 15.1%
	Putnam and Troy are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Schools
School district	Troy School District	PUTNAM CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT
High school in town	None 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.