CountyScore

Delaware County

New York · NY

#14 in New York
62
County Score

County Report Card

About Delaware County, New York

Delaware Significantly Outperforms Nationally

Delaware County scores 62.3, substantially above the national median of 50.0 and ranking in the 75th-80th percentile. The county demonstrates markedly above-average livability on a national scale.

Strong Performer Within New York

Delaware scores 62.3, well above New York's state average of 54.7, making it one of the state's top livability counties. The county demonstrates well-rounded strengths across major dimensions.

Affordability and Reasonable Taxes

Delaware excels with a cost score of 78.8 and a tax score of 53.4, offering median rent of $848/month and a median home value of $176,200. The 1.736% effective tax rate provides another advantage for budget-conscious households.

Income Opportunities Limited

Delaware's income score of 22.7 reflects a median household income of just $60,226, the county's primary weakness. Job seekers and career-focused individuals may find limited local employment and earning potential.

Ideal for Budget-Focused Households

Delaware County suits households with external income sources—remote workers, retirees, or benefit recipients—seeking maximum affordability and reasonable taxes. Those relying on local employment should look elsewhere.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.4Cost78.8SafetyComing SoonHealth76.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.7Risk16.7WaterComing Soon
🏛53.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡16.7
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 Delaware County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Bryan County
Georgia
62
Median income: $94,234
Cherokee County
Georgia
62
Median income: $105,442
Marion County
Illinois
62
Median income: $60,839
Johnson County
Kansas
62
Median income: $107,261
Aransas County
Texas
62
Median income: $61,754

Deep Dives

Delaware County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Delaware County

via TaxByCounty

Delaware's rate moderates with values

Delaware County's effective tax rate of 1.736% exceeds the national median effective rate of roughly 0.71%, yet its median property tax of $3,059 remains just above the national median of $2,690. This reflects Delaware's positioning as a rural county with home values below the national average but with moderately higher tax rates.

Delaware ranks well below state average

Delaware County's effective rate of 1.736% is notably below New York's state average of 2.046%, and its median property tax of $3,059 is substantially lower than the state average of $4,709. This makes Delaware one of the more affordable tax environments in New York.

Delaware offers middle-ground taxes

Delaware County's 1.736% effective rate is lower than Chenango (2.389%) and Cortland (2.646%) but higher than Columbia (1.548%) and Essex (1.556%). Its median tax of $3,059 matches Chenango's, making Delaware an attractive option for cost-conscious rural homeowners.

Delaware median tax is $3,059 yearly

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $176,200 in Delaware County pays an estimated $3,059 in annual property taxes, or about $255 per month. With mortgage escrow, the total typically reaches approximately $3,294.

Verify your assessment value today

Delaware County residents should ensure their home's assessed value reflects its true market worth—overassessments reduce your equity and increase tax burden. Requesting a reassessment from your local assessor is free and could result in meaningful annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Delaware County

via CostByCounty

Delaware stretches dollars furthest

Delaware County's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks among New York's most affordable despite a median income of $60,226. At $848 monthly, rents remain 50% below the national average, delivering exceptional value for budget-conscious renters.

Second-most affordable statewide

Delaware's 16.9% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below New York's 17.6% average, with median rents of $848—$285 cheaper than the state median. Few New York counties deliver comparable affordability.

Cheapest rents in the upstate cluster

Delaware's $848 rent ranks among the lowest in this eight-county survey, beaten only by Chenango County at $819. Median home values of $176,200 remain modest, keeping both rental and ownership markets equally accessible.

Exceptional affordability on tight budget

Delaware residents earning just $60,226 spend only $848 on rent—just 16.9% of income—thanks to modest regional pricing. Homeowners pay $944 monthly, or 18.8% of income, meaning both renters and buyers achieve genuine financial breathing room.

Maximum affordability in rural New York

Delaware delivers New York's best cost-of-living value for families earning under $65,000, with rents under $850 and home values under $180,000. If maximizing your paycheck's purchasing power matters, Delaware's 16.9% rent ratio is tough to beat statewide.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Delaware County

via IncomeByCounty

Delaware lags far behind the nation

Delaware County's median household income of $60,226 trails the national median of $74,755 by 19.5%, making it one of America's lower-income counties. This substantial gap reflects a rural Catskill economy with limited job diversity and younger workers migrating away.

Lowest income in upstate cluster

At $60,226, Delaware ranks among the lowest in New York State, sitting $16,207 below the state average of $76,433. The county's position in the bottom quarter of New York's 62 counties underscores its rural and economically challenged character.

Struggling relative to surrounding counties

Delaware's $60,226 income is the lowest in its region, undercut only by its peers but topped by Cortland ($67,527) and Chenango ($62,093) nearby. The county's isolation in the western Catskills and limited urban centers contribute to this income disadvantage.

Housing affordability provides buffer

Despite low income, Delaware's median home value of $176,200 and 16.9% rent-to-income ratio offer relative affordability compared to wealthier counties. This affordability cushion helps households manage on lower earnings, though $60,226 remains a genuine financial constraint.

Start small, build consistent habits

With median income of $60,226, Delaware residents should prioritize building an emergency fund before aggressive investing—even $25 or $50 monthly adds up. Once you've saved one month's expenses, explore low-cost index funds or employer retirement plans to grow long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Delaware County

via HealthByCounty

Delaware approaches national health standards

At 76.7 years, Delaware County's life expectancy sits 0.3 years above the U.S. average of 76.4 years. A 15.4% poor/fair health rate places the county in the healthier half of the cohort.

One of New York's lower-ranked counties

Delaware's 76.7-year life expectancy falls 1.2 years short of New York's state average of 77.9 years. The county ranks in the lower third statewide for longevity.

Outperforms Chenango, trails most others

Delaware (76.7 years) beats Chenango County (74.9 years) by 1.8 years but lags behind Cortland County (76.2 years)—wait, that's backwards. Delaware actually beats Cortland slightly and outpaces Chenango significantly among rural upstate counties.

Limited providers, higher uninsured rate

Delaware has 38 primary care providers and 158 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both below state averages, suggesting access challenges. At 5.7% uninsured—above the state average of 5.3%—nearly 1 in 17 residents lack coverage.

Coverage matters in Delaware County

With tight provider supply and higher uninsurance, securing health coverage is essential for Delaware residents. Visit NY State of Health to explore plans and maximize your access to available providers.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Delaware County

via RiskByCounty

Delaware County faces moderate disaster risk

Delaware County's composite risk score of 83.33 places it well above the national average, earning a relatively moderate risk rating. The county's exposure is driven primarily by significant flood danger (91.19) and hurricane vulnerability (76.85). This above-average positioning requires thoughtful, multi-hazard disaster preparedness.

Higher risk than most New York counties

At 83.33, Delaware County scores substantially above New York's state average of 69.42, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties. This elevated standing compared to statewide patterns reflects Delaware's geographic exposure to multiple significant hazard types. The county's risk profile demands serious attention to insurance and emergency planning.

Second-highest risk in this regional group

Delaware's 83.33 score ranks second only to Dutchess County (88.26) and Erie County (97.68) in this comparison group, substantially exceeding safer counties like Cortland (51.24) and Clinton (68.80). This elevated exposure relative to immediate neighbors reflects Delaware's particular geographic vulnerability. Your county faces more complex and serious disaster risks than most surrounding areas.

Flooding dominates Delaware's hazard profile

Delaware County faces exceptional flood risk (91.19), among the highest in the nation, making this hazard your paramount concern. Hurricane exposure (76.85) and tornado risk (55.60) add significant secondary threats. These three hazards account for the majority of Delaware's elevated composite risk.

Flood insurance is absolutely critical

Your county's extraordinary flood risk (91.19) makes flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program non-negotiable, regardless of property elevation or mortgage lender requirements. Supplemental wind and hail coverage protects against hurricane and tornado exposure (76.85 and 55.60). Professional flood risk assessment specific to your property location is essential before purchasing or selling.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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