Chautauqua
New York

What stands out

Three things set Chautauqua County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (2.51%), winter sunshine is in the bottom 8% of American counties (-1.3 on the USDA scale), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 10% of American counties (6.0%). Within New York it ranks 16th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Chautauqua County, New York. 127,440 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -29).

New York's top income-tax rate is 10.9%, and New York City residents add a city income tax of up to 3.876% on top. The state estate tax has a cliff: estates just over the exemption can owe tax on the whole amount. Social Security is not taxed and up to $20,000 of pension income is excluded. Upstate home prices and taxes look nothing like the downstate market.

Money

The typical household here brings in $54,625 a year, lower than 68% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $52,960. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 66% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

New York takes 5.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,785 a year.

Home

The median home costs $177K, cheaper than 73% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $776 a month. Property tax is 2.51% of home value, roughly $2,784 a year on that median home, higher than almost every county in America. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.7 years, longer than 61% of American counties. There are 168 active physicians in the county, about 13.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.5 of 5 stars. 6.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 14 points. 60% of eligible voters turned out. Under New York law you need local approval to carry a concealed handgun, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 47°F, highs near 57 and lows near 38, colder than 83% of American counties. About 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 64 out of 100, riskier than 64% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 249 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. There are 10 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 6 museums.