Oneonta, NY

We must admit that Oneonta's appearance on this list came as a surprise. Its population has declined, its per-capita income is below the national average and its unemployment rate was higher in 2000 than the national figure. Within the SUNY system, there are certainly more charming towns. (Geneseo, N.Y., which ranked high in our survey but not in the top 10, is one of our personal favorites.)

Yet Oneonta's population is young. Public library use is high. The city benefits from having two liberal arts colleges, a number of local arts organizations and proximity to the attractions of nearby Cooperstown.



Combined college enrollment: 7,015

Population: 13,292
Population change, 1990-2000: -4.70%

Median age: 22.6
(National: 35.3)

Per capita income: $12,640
(National: $21,587)

Unemployment rate: 4.7%
(National: 4.0%)

Owner-occupied housing: 40.0%

Public library expenditures, per capita: $37.62

Community profiles:
Oneonta, NY
Oneonta demographics

College profiles:
SUNY Oneonta
Hartwick College

Notes:
1. All figures are for the years 1999-2000.
2. Combined enrollment figures are for the four-year colleges included in this survey.
3. Unemployment rates are an annual average.
4. Per-capita income and unemployment rates are county-level statistics.

For more on the sources and statistics used in this study, see methodology.