Orange
New York

What stands out

What stands out about Orange County: the property tax rate is among the highest in America (2.46%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 4% of American counties ($1,588 a month), and the uninsured rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (5.4%). Within New York it ranks 18th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Orange County, New York. 401,237 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2,466).

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 $91,806 a year, higher than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $62,619. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 58% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 31 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,848 a year.

Home

The median home costs $464K, pricier than 91% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,588 a month. Property tax is 2.46% of home value, roughly $8,310 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 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 70% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.2 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 1,126 active physicians in the county, about 28.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 5.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 6 points. 65% 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 50°F, highs near 60 and lows near 40, colder than 74% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 85 out of 100, riskier than 85% of American counties; the county has had 36 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 278 Mbps down, faster than 88% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.9 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 14 museums.