What stands out worked out from the figures below

Wayne has grown the fastest since 2010 (-3.1%).

Exeter has the most kids (22.7% 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	Wayne	Exeter
People
Population	1,033Highest	913Lowest
Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census	-3.1%Highest NY: +4.2%	-14.4%Lowest NY: +4.2%
Median age	62.6±3.6Highest 57% above NY	51.7±12.6Lowest 30% above NY
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Kids under 18	12.3%±3Lowest NY: 20.5%	22.7%±7.1Highest NY: 20.5%
Age 65+	40.1%±6Highest NY: 17.9%	26.9%±10.5Lowest NY: 17.9%
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+	42.3%Highest NY: 40.2%	28.2%Lowest NY: 40.2%
Enrolled in collegeshare of residents	1%±0.8 NY: 7%	1%±1.9 NY: 7%
Cost of living
Household incomemedian	$90,938±$17kHighest 6% above NY	$77,550±$19kLowest 10% below NY
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Home valuemedian, owner-occupied	$266,700±$150kHighest 37% below NY	$243,000±$89kLowest 43% below NY
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Rentmedian gross, monthly	$1,031±$304Highest 36% below NY	$867±$44Lowest 47% below NY
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Property taxmedian, yearly	$3,967Highest 40% below NY	$2,926Lowest 56% below NY
Renters paying 30%+of income on rent	38.9%±100Highest NY: 52.1%	0%±100Lowest NY: 52.1%
	Wayne and Exeter are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher.
Below poverty line	6.2%Highest NY: 14%	4.3%Lowest NY: 14%
Housing
Homeownersof occupied homes	95.8%Lowest NY: 54.3%	97.7%Highest NY: 54.3%
Typical home builtmedian year	1971Lowest 12 yrs newer than NY	1977Highest 18 yrs newer than NY
Getting to work
Average commuteone way	28 minLowest 13% below NY	29 minHighest 12% below NY
Work from home	9.3%±4.2Lowest NY: 14.9%	14.4%±10.4Highest NY: 14.9%
	Exeter and Wayne 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.