Chemung
New York

What stands out

Against every county in America, Chemung County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (2.55%), the uninsured rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (4.5%), and home internet speed is in the top 5% of American counties (298 Mbps). Within New York it ranks 14th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Chemung County, New York. 83,584 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -150).

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 $61,358 a year, higher than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,216. Unemployment runs 3.7%, higher than 59% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,148 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,008 a month. Property tax is 2.55% of home value, roughly $3,267 a year on that median home, higher than almost every county in America. 68% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 58% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.5 years, shorter than 54% of American counties. There are 357 active physicians in the county, about 42.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 4.5% 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 12 points. 61% 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 48°F, highs near 58 and lows near 37, colder than 82% of American counties. About 34 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 49 out of 100, safer than 51% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 298 Mbps down, faster than 95% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 5 museums.