CountyScore

Cattaraugus County

New York · NY

#47 in New York
55.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Cattaraugus County, New York

Cattaraugus exceeds the national standard

Cattaraugus County's composite score of 54.2 rises above the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This western New York county achieves moderate-to-good livability by national benchmarks.

Nearly even with New York state

Cattaraugus scores 54.2, just below New York's state average of 54.7, ranking it near the state median among 62 counties. The county performs comparably to most of its upstate peers without distinguishing itself.

Housing is remarkably affordable

Cattaraugus's cost score of 83.2 ties for the highest among these eight counties, with a median home value of $109,400 and rent at $759/month. This exceptional affordability makes the county highly attractive to budget-conscious households and retirees.

Income growth and tax burden lag

Cattaraugus's income score of 21.4 and tax score of 26.5 reveal structural challenges: median household income of $58,248 is among the state's lowest, and an effective tax rate of 2.693% compounds the financial pressure. Limited data on safety, health, schools, and environmental factors leaves gaps in the livability picture.

Rural haven for the budget-minded

Cattaraugus County suits retirees, remote workers, and lower-income households seeking rural living and rock-bottom housing costs despite higher tax rates and limited income opportunities. The county's extreme affordability outweighs its fiscal and earnings challenges for those with modest needs.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax26.5Cost83.2SafetyComing SoonHealth71.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome21.4Risk18.4WaterComing Soon
🏛26.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼21.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡18.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Cattaraugus County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

McKinley County
New Mexico
55.6
Median income: $44,496
Ellis County
Texas
55.6
Median income: $95,898
Solano County
California
55.7
Median income: $99,994
Bell County
Texas
55.5
Median income: $66,051
McLennan County
Texas
55.5
Median income: $63,888

Deep Dives

Cattaraugus County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Cattaraugus County

via TaxByCounty

Cattaraugus ranks above state and national

Cattaraugus County's effective tax rate of 2.693% exceeds both the New York state average of 2.046% and sits above national norms. The median property tax of $2,946 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, though on a much lower median home value of $109,400 versus the national $281,900.

Among highest-taxed New York counties

Cattaraugus ranks in the upper quartile of New York's 62 counties for effective tax rates at 2.693%. This makes it one of the pricier places to own property in the state relative to home values.

Higher taxes than surrounding areas

Cattaraugus's 2.693% rate exceeds Chautauqua County's 2.386% and Allegany County's 2.943%, placing it in the upper range for southwestern New York. Though home values are modest ($109,400), the elevated rate creates one of the region's tightest tax burdens.

Budget roughly $2,946 annually

On a median Cattaraugus home worth $109,400, expect to pay approximately $2,946 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill rises to $3,383; without, it falls to $2,646.

Appeal your assessment to save

At this tax rate, an overassessment of just $5,000–$10,000 translates to $150–$300 in wasted taxes yearly. Filing a free appeal takes weeks and could permanently lower your tax bill by hundreds.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cattaraugus County

via CostByCounty

Cattaraugus beats affordability benchmarks

Cattaraugus County residents spend just 15.6% of income on rent, well below the national average of 17.0%, despite a median household income of $58,248 that trails the national median by $16,507. The county's exceptional housing costs mean residents retain more income for savings and essentials.

Affordable among New York counties

Cattaraugus County ranks among New York's most affordable regions, with a rent-to-income ratio of 15.6%—below the state average of 17.6%. At $759 monthly, median rent costs $374 less than the state median, placing it in the county's affordability sweet spot.

Rural west NY affordability cluster

Cattaraugus rents of $759 are nearly identical to Allegany County ($754) and substantially cheaper than Chautauqua ($797), positioning the county within western New York's affordability corridor. Home values under $110,000 compete with the region's least expensive markets for genuine starter-home accessibility.

Income stretches across essentials

Renters dedicate just 15.6% of the $58,248 median income to $759 monthly rent, while homeowners spend 15.8% on ownership ($767/month). This leaves approximately 84% of household income for all other expenses—a luxury rare in high-cost regions.

Rural charm meets true affordability

If you prioritize affordability above urban amenities, Cattaraugus County delivers authentic rural living at genuine working-class prices—rent and home values that won't consume your paycheck. Homebuyers can achieve ownership for under $110,000; renters enjoy more breathing room than nearly any comparable U.S. county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cattaraugus County

via IncomeByCounty

Cattaraugus income lags national average

Cattaraugus County's median household income of $58,248 falls $16,507 short of the U.S. median of $74,755, a 22% gap. This below-average income reflects the county's rural economy, limited urbanization, and dependence on agriculture, light manufacturing, and retail trade.

Among New York's lower-income counties

Cattaraugus ranks in the lower tier of New York State's 62 counties, with a median household income nearly $18,200 below the state average of $76,433. The county's per capita income of $31,173 also lags the state average by roughly $10,000, indicating limited high-wage opportunities.

Cattaraugus matches its regional standing

At $58,248, Cattaraugus's median household income sits between Chautauqua ($56,507) and Allegany ($61,233), reflecting its position in western New York's lower-income rural belt. All three counties share similar economic constraints tied to distance from major metropolitan employment centers.

Affordable housing supports financial stability

Cattaraugus's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% remains well below the 30% affordability threshold, and the median home value of $109,400 aligns well with household earning capacity. Low housing costs provide breathing room for residents despite modest incomes.

Start small, save consistently, grow steadily

Cattaraugus residents can leverage low housing costs to build emergency funds and invest in long-term wealth. Explore employer benefits, automatic savings plans, and community investment opportunities to gradually increase financial security over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cattaraugus County

via HealthByCounty

Cattaraugus faces urgent health crisis

At 74.5 years, Cattaraugus County's life expectancy is more than 1.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.1 years—among the lowest in the nation. With 17.4% reporting poor or fair health and 6.6% uninsured, the county is experiencing a genuine public health emergency.

Worst health outcomes in New York

Cattaraugus County's 74.5-year life expectancy is the lowest of any county examined and 3.4 years below New York State's 77.9-year average. At 6.6% uninsured, it exceeds the state average of 5.3%, leaving many residents without healthcare access.

Crisis conditions compared to peers

Cattaraugus's 74.5-year life expectancy is nearly four years below Albany County and represents a stark regional disparity within upstate New York. With only 43 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest among examined counties—healthcare access is severely constrained.

Severe provider shortage, high uninsured rate

With just 43 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 192 mental health providers per 100,000, Cattaraugus County faces acute healthcare shortages. At 6.6% uninsured, many residents lack the means to reach even these limited services.

Coverage is critical—apply now

In Cattaraugus County, health insurance can be a lifeline. Reach out to a local navigator at communityhealth.org or call 1-800-338-1084 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or county health programs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cattaraugus County

via RiskByCounty

Cattaraugus faces moderate disaster risk

With a composite risk score of 81.58 and a relatively moderate rating, Cattaraugus County sits above the national average in disaster exposure. While not in the highest tier, its risk profile warrants intentional preparedness across multiple hazard types.

Above average compared to New York

Cattaraugus's 81.58 score exceeds New York's 69.42 state average by a notable margin, placing it in the upper-middle range of the state's at-risk counties. This puts it above roughly half of all New York counties.

Higher risk than nearby Allegany

Cattaraugus County's 81.58 score exceeds Allegany County (69.75) to the south but falls below Chautauqua County (84.64) to the west and Broome County (87.47) to the east. The county's position in western New York's flood-prone terrain drives its elevated risk.

Floods are your primary concern

Flood risk stands at 89.92—well above state average—while tornado risk (68.35) and hurricane risk (68.13) present secondary concerns. Cattaraugus's location in a region of rolling terrain and river valleys creates seasonal flood vulnerability.

Secure comprehensive flood coverage

Flood insurance is critical given the 89.92 flood risk; check local flood maps and consider coverage even outside designated flood zones. Ensure your homeowners policy covers wind and tornado damage, and keep gutters and drainage clear before heavy rain seasons.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.