Ulster
New York

What stands out

Against every county in America, Ulster County is unusual in three ways: the property tax rate is in the top 3% of American counties (2.12%), the typical two-bedroom rent is in the top 5% of American counties ($1,491 a month), and the share working from home is in the top 8% of American counties (14%). Within New York it ranks 38th of 62 counties for the property tax rate.

Where you are

You live in Ulster County, New York. 182,153 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +102).

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 $77,197 a year, higher than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $61,154. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 59% of American counties. 14% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

New York takes 5.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $4,004 a year.

Home

The median home costs $442K, pricier than 90% of American counties, about 2.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,491 a month. Property tax is 2.12% of home value, roughly $6,114 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 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 67% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 79.2 years, longer than 85% of American counties. There are 352 active physicians in the county, about 19.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 6.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 25 points. 69% 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 38, colder than 81% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 82 out of 100, riskier than 82% of American counties; the county has had 37 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 254 Mbps down, faster than 76% of American counties. There are 9 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 16 museums.