Dutchess
New York

What stands out

Against every county in America, Dutchess County is unusual in three ways: the uninsured rate is in the bottom 2% of American counties (4.7%), the property tax rate is in the top 3% of American counties (2.05%), and the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 4% of American counties ($1,550 a month). Within New York it ranks 15th of 62 counties for the uninsured rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Dutchess County, New York. 296,467 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -800).

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 $94,578 a year, higher than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $70,950. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 63% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 28 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $5,012 a year.

Home

The median home costs $495K, pricier than 93% of American counties, about 2.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,550 a month. Property tax is 2.05% of home value, roughly $7,135 a year on that median home, higher than 97% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.4 per 1,000 residents, lower than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 79.7 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 1,053 active physicians in the county, about 35.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.5 of 5 stars. 4.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 11 points. 68% 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 51°F, highs near 61 and lows near 40, colder than 73% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 77 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 268 Mbps down, faster than 82% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 14 museums, 3 National Park Service sites.